Nahoul Gonzalez; Thee one and only

     Good morning everybody, my name is Nahoul Gonzalez and I'm extremely excited to let you know that I will continue my contribution to LA Scores by working along side the amazing Dre, David, and, not so awesome, Armond. (don't tell him I said that) I was offered an opportunity to work along side them in the LA Scores office as a member of Coach Across America.

     Just a little background info for everybody, I am a graduate from Hamilton High School and currently am a college student with aspirations of becoming a professional athlete. I am currently enrolled at Santa Monica College as a junior. My current goal, academic wise, is to transfer out to a four-year university with an Associates degree. I plan on being an Athletic Trainer and a Physical Therapist as well. My mind is set and what I've decided on pursuing is what I will reach.

     Aside from school, most know me as a soccer player. I played for Hamilton my sophomore, junior and senior year as defender and as a midfielder. My senior year I was selected to be the captain of the soccer team. Then came college, I tried out and made the Santa Monica Corsairs soccer team the past fall semester as a defender and midfielder. The highlight of my career would probably be the two week trip to Brazil; I was training with a professional soccer team from Brazil, Atlético Paranaense. As of Right now I am playing on a premier team in South Gate, we're in the UPSL league and finished second this past season.
     
     I was a former coach at Charnock Elementary but my studies got in the way and I had to step back from it. Luckily, I was able to stay around as a substitute coach and help out during game day which felt great knowing I wasn't completely out of the program. 

     That's a simple background as to who I am and what I have planned for the future. I look forward to helping out the program as much as I can. Soooooooo yea.. haha I wont keep you guys and gals anymore. Have a great day. Peace.

Playing Catch Up!!!

      Seeing as how the last blog post was over 2 months ago, how about we catch you up? For programming, we have been in full swing since Mar 6. We have hired quite a few new coaches, most notably at Braddock Elementary School. Perhaps you will get a chance to meet them.
      Our local Poetry SLAM was held on Mar 20 at Charnock Elementary School. We bussed the students from Palms and Broddock and everyone was able to stand on stage to perform various poems as to why, who, and for what they are thankful for. Since our SLAM was held later in the year than previous SLAMs, we were able to have the poets we selected to represent LA Scores in the America Scores NAtional SLAM perform their poems for all their friends in LA.
      Speaking of the National SLAM, we at LA Scores, want to take this time to say how proud we are of the students who were LA's representatives in New York for America Scores' National SLAM held earlier this month. Evan Rocha of Charnock and Tiarra Joseph of Palms were model students while in New York and both received standing ovations from the audience attending the National SLAM. They were chaperoned by Coach Armond, who is awesome in his own right.
      That's the news for now. Some of our upcoming events include the Jamboree to be held at the end of this season, SHOUT Week for the various schools to present their community service projects, Summer Camps, and our annual Inspired Art Event. Things are getting very excited for LA Scores and we hope you all will continue to support us. In the mean time, enjoy the pic below of Evan, Tiarra, and Coaches David and Armond in New York's famous Central Park.

Middle School Trip to UCLA

Here at LA SCORES we have seen what the impact of a visit to a college campus can have on students. Miguel, who was in middle school when he went on an LA SCORES field trip to CSUN, decided then and there that that was the school for him. Years and lots of hardwork later, Miguel is not only at sophomore at Cal State Northridge, but a member of the club soccer team and student leader in various clubs on campus.

Last Friday, LA SCORES participants at Palms Middle School had a similar opportunity when they visited the campus of UCLA. The trip, coordinated and sponsored by the organization Coaching Corps (click here to visit their website) included a tour of many of the major sports facilities on campus as well as a Q & A panel consisting of students with a variety of experiences, student athletes in tennis, football, and dance, a Gates Scholar, club leaders, all representing different majors as well.

Throughout the tour, our LA SCORES students had the opportunity to speak with volunteers from Coaching Corps as they walked with our group through the entire tour. Outside of their wonderful hospitality, highlights of the trip included a visit to the UCLA Hall of Fame where all the Championship Trophies were on display, along with profiles on some of the most successful atheletes to come out of UCLA. (Fun fact: Did you know that if you took all the Olympic medals won by UCLA athletes and compared it to the the rest of the world, the school would rank fifth all time!) After this, we were taken to the student gym, Drake Field (a personal favorite since this is the soccer stadium) and a private tour of the brand new Pauly Pavilion! Our students were guided by Mick Deluca, Executive Director of Recreation and Campus Life at UCLA, and taken around the basketball stadium, through the player entrance and then had the chance to play and take pictures on the actual court! All around it was an experience anyone would be lucky to have, but we are especially proud that our students were a part of it.


You never know what the impact of a college visit is going to be, but I can say confidently that we have more than a few future Bruins in our midst now. Thanks again to Joe Hong, Cameron Hajialiakbar, Angi Daus, Cristina Tolentino, Mick Deluca, and everyone else who helped put this great trip together!

Finding a home at LA Scores

Hey guys.  I’m Clay; one of two LA Scores interns attending Wildwood high school in Santa Monica.  I’ve helped out at both the LA Scores office and at multiple LA Scores schools nearby.  I’ve really cherished my experiences with LA Scores.  During this time I’ve been able to make connections with both the friendly and responsible LA Scores staff, and with LA Scores poet-athletes, many of whom are the friendliest kids I know!

I was first drawn to the organization because I appreciate the stress LA Scores puts on the importance of both literacy and physical health.  I instantly felt connected with LA Scores on a personal level because they emphasize both social, and leadership skills: two characteristics I value greatly.  LA Scores teachings are reflected through the health and happiness of each and every LA Scores poet-athlete.

Every time I visit a LA Scores school I am charmed by the charisma and self-awareness each LA Scores poet-athlete possesses.  They are skilled problem-solvers and there is rarely any conflict.  Every LA Scores poet-athlete that I’ve encountered is bright and filled with joy!  Maybe this is a reflection of LA Scores’ expert staff.

From the soccer coaches to the poetry teachers, to the office staff, LA scores is filled with diligent, hard workers, who are eager to make a difference within their community.  It has been an excitement and a pleasure to get to know and work with all of them.  The staff is an extraordinary group of people who teach children in an extraordinarily fun way! 

I knew from the moment I joined the LA Scores community that I would fit in, and I feel perfectly at home within this welcoming, passionate, and friendly group!

Wildwood Internship Program

Kayla (center, left of woman in white) sits with her team after a game.

 

Hey everyone! It’s Kayla, one of the America SCORES LA’s interns. I am a seventeen year-old junior at Wildwood School. I just started volunteering for the organization in September, and ever since, I have fallen in love with the program!

America SCORES LA is the perfect organization for me because it revolves around two different topics that I love, creative writing and soccer! I love writing because it gives me the opportunity to express the creative side that I have in me. I have played soccer since I was three years old, and it has had a huge impact on my life.

I have learned that soccer not only improves your fitness level and athletic skills, but it makes you a better, and more well rounded, person. As I grew up, I had to learn what it meant to be on a team. Teamwork to me is working effectively with a group of people in order to achieve one common goal. What I love about being on a team is that everyone’s personality traits and strengths contribute to the overall success of the team.

When I was able to recognize my strengths as a player, I began to gain confidence. When I gained confidence, I was able to transform into a leader. When I was younger, I was not the loud, confident leader I am now. However, after playing soccer for 14 years, I was transformed into that person. Now, being the captain of my club soccer team, I have been able to see how much I have grown as an individual. Soccer has taught me essential life skills that I will need for the rest of my life.

Something that is unique about America SCORES LA program is that they implement what I have experienced through soccer into their program. Their main goal is to make these kids compassionate, loving, and confident individuals through soccer and poetry. It has been my absolute pleasure working with an amazing staff and interacting with cheerful kids.

Coach At Work

Sssssshhh...Coach Dre has no idea I'm taking this picture. Look how hard he works for the program. What a guy.

Getting By With A Little Help From Our Friends

There are moments in life when one feel overwhelmed. It's a universal truth, so lets not waste any time arguing. Last Friday was one such moment for LA Scores. It was our second game day. Life, in its constantly evolving way, struck our coaches. Some were sick. Some were held up. But many were unavailable. The coaches who made it were going to have to pull double or triple duty as coach, ref, snack passer outer, and the multitude of other tasks that needed to be completed in order to make game day a success. It got to a point where we feared we may have to cancel game day because of safety issues, not enough coaches for kids. And it was in our darkest hour when the volunteers arrived: former participants of LA Scores, a group of teenagers from a local high school, Caitlin Barrett (the Assistant Director for Coach Across America and lifelong friend of SCORES), even a couple of our sixth grade students from Charnock reffed a game. Difficult though it may have been, this past game day proved to be one of the most fulfilling and I would like to thank all of those people out there who contribute to make this program so special. As you can tell from the pic, it was a day undoubtedly enjoyed.