Payton siblings visit Barrington school to support playground fundraiser

Jarrett and Brittney Payton went back to school in Barrington this week to lend their celebrity to a student-produced video promoting a fundraiser for a new playground at Grove Elementary School, which the siblings attended.

The video will feature the Paytons and fellow Grove alum Kirk Cousins talking about the importance of staying active and their memories of the school. Cousins, an NFL quarterback for Washington, submitted his segment remotely.

"I couldn't have asked for three savvier young adults to help with this project," said Cindy Kalogeropoulos, Grove's principal for the last 31 years.

Kalogeropoulos said the new playground would feature a contemporary, interactive design that goes beyond replacing their old play area.

"We dreamed a little bigger," she said. "This playground will be more engaging and increases kids' fitness, their ability to participate in more creative play and grow their friendships by being outside and having that experience with their classmates."

Alex Gaul, a Barrington High School student who produced the video through the Studio TV class, said it was great to work with the Payton siblings.

"it was just an amazing experience to see where they've gone in life," Gaul said. "That's something I want to do, be a journalist and a sports journalist."

Jarrett Payton co-hosts "Sports Feed" on CLTV and Brittney Payton co-hosts "Chicago's Best" on WGN. Gaul said Brittany Payton invited him to shadow her show during a day of production.

Kalogeropoulos said their fundraising goal is $50,000 and donations can be sent to the school, located at 900 S. Grove Ave. in Barrington.