Differences Too Small To Overcome

Question: What is the difference between poetry and music? I awoke this morning with a smile on my face, which, thankfully, is not a rare occasion. What made this smile special was my knowing exactly what I was smiling about. Last night, listening to many of our student athletes recite original poems on stage at Braddock Drive Elementary School provided me not only with smiles, but with all those things behind the smile: joy, love, and laughter. For the past few weeks, the students have been working on creative pieces focused on the theme: The Music in Me. This led to one student sharing just how Hype rap makes him, another claiming herself to be a goddess of music, and one outstanding performance that ended with an A Capella version of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" which received uproarious applause. There is one student from Palms Elementary School, Prince, whose poem represents the best of this program:

The Music in Me

I am the star that music makes me
I wonder what its like to see music like me
I see the ears in my head, spinning the swarms of ideas
I see like no other being, so I am the Alpha
I want more to see in what I can read, read in me
I am the Alpha of music everywhere, and no one can say otherwise

SCORES Week

With the last week of Spring Season lurking just beyond Memorial Day, we are excited for our upcoming SCORES Week. This is the time where we celebrate all of the wonderful things our students have been doing over the last 10 weeks.

Schedule is as follows:

Monday-Memorial Day (No School)
Tuesday-Coaches vs Students Games/Pizza Party (At All Sites)
Wednesday: Poetry SLAM  5-7pm @ Braddock Elementary
Thursday: Community Service Projects (At Elementary Sites)
Friday: Community Jamboree!!! 3-6pm (Mar Vista Park)

We hope to see you there!!!

The Beginning

The Spring Season is coming to a swift end and all of our sites are preparing for SCORES Week, a celebration of another successful school year of programming, of friendships made, of imaginations nurtured. I ,for one, love being a part of this program. I love being able to contribute to a cause I know to be worthy. I love debating ideas with the staff, exploring with new techniques with the coaches, and learning from the kids. In spite of the harshness found in the world, I get a daily reminder that the way to joy is paved with smiles. We have great people working with us, coaches who understand what it is to be good people. We do good work here. We build lasting relationships. We care.

Go team,
Armond Richards
Program Director

Nice to meet you!

Hi all of you!

I am Esmee, 17 years old and I am from the Netherlands. I am very excited to be here! My school offered me the chance to go on an internship for four weeks. The education that I get is a bilingual education, which means I get classes in both English and Dutch. Also, we went on a trip in every school year. Our first year it was London, the second year we did an exchange with Germany , third year we went to Czech Republic, and last year we went to Oxford and Cambridge. But this is the thing I have been looking forward to since I started at this school when I was 12 years old: a trip to an English speaking country all by myself.

I love playing soccer and this is how I found LA Scores. So that is where I am now, at the office of LA Scores, writing a post for the blog. Last Thursday was my very first day at the office, and David and I talked things through. We kind of decided that I would take care of the communication side of the organisation, like Facebook, Twitter and this blog. On Thursday afternoon I got to meet a few of the children and they were adorable. On Friday I worked on the new Facebook page (you can now actually like it!) and after lunch we went to Mar Vista park to set up Game Day. Around 3 all the kids started to arrive and warm up for their game. I was a ref at one of the girls matches. I was very warm at the turf field, but we had a lot of fun!

I really look forward to seeing all the children in the afternoons, because I really enjoyed that last week! Also, I really want to help out at the office because I would like to find out how everything works at a non-profit organisation.

ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America Scores

 

Since it’s beginning in 2006, The ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES has been a national program that dedicates itself to engaging renowned ASCAP artists with local youth. Artists annually work together with America SCORES student throughout a 3-day workshop to compose and record their very own song. Before the students are taken to a professional studio for a recording session, every writer spends 2 afternoons with his group of kids practicing and co-writing the song.


This year we are happy that our group of Braddock 5th graders were able to get inside the studio with Gabriel Mann, a critically acclaimed ASCAP artist who is also a member for Los Angeles based indie rock band The Rescues. Our song’s theme focused on love and how it applies to those in our immediate family. It is exciting for us to be able to get in touch with our students creative minds and see their expression in music. Throughout the workshops kids see how artists assure themselves of also being great role models and teachers who enjoy inspiring those around them. This is fundamental to a student’s experience, especially considering how there exists a lack of after school programs targeting kids who seek musical education and talent development opportunities. We’d like to thank ASCAP for another successful year in supporting our efforts to enrich the lives of our local youth.

Coach Profiles: Miguel Aquino

For the next couple of weeks we'll be posting up coach profiles of our America SCORES LA staff. SCORES thrives because of the commitment these individuals have made to better the lives of each and every one of our students.

Miguel Aquino
Age: 21
School: Cal State Northridge

Miguel has been apart of SCORES since 3rd grade. His active participation in our program and as well as the longevity of his involvement has allowed him to take full advantage of the experiences SCORES offers. Camping trips, David Beckham Academy, EA trips, etc. You name it and he's been there.  Miguel's journey illustrates the ambitions SCORES hopes it's students can achieve, making strong friendships, healthy decisions, and memorable times.

What is your favorite show to watch?
My favorite show to watch is How I Met Your Mother. My favorite character is Barney Stinson. He is very funny and he is mysterious as well because he doesn’t tell anyone the things he does. The group of friends they have reminds me of some of my closest friends I have found here in LA Scores.


What is your favorite part of America SCORES (Indoor, Game Day, Coaching??)
My favorite part would have to be game day. It reminds me of the times when I was a kid I would go to game days and put it all out on the field for my team. It is an amazing experience to see new talent develop in the program and its always a pleasure to see the kids play their best. It doesn’t get any better than having fun with the team you are coaching for the day.


If you could play soccer anywhere where would it be?
I would want to play in Spain. They are one of the most competitive soccer players in the word and I want to be part of that. It would be amazing to also become part of the Real Madrid team. I want to follow my childhood idol’s footsteps which was Roberto Carlos.


What is your perfect pizza?
My perfect pizza consist of a deep dish style with pineapples, bacon, ham, chicken, peperoni, mushrooms and bell peppers. You can never go wrong with too many toppings.


If you could be any age for one year what age?
I would want to be 11 years old again. I miss elementary school where all you had to worry about was doing your homework and then watch cartoons. I miss waking up in the morning going to Charnock and getting ready to eat coffee cake. I miss Ms. Merry telling all the kids to stop running, but the one thing I miss most is going to game day on Fridays. I miss playing with the Green Pimpin’ Jokers (our team name).


What is your greatest fear?
One of my greatest fears are cockroaches. I don’t like the really big ones that fly. One time I was sitting at home watching TV and one magically flew through the window. I was so scared I had my mom kill because I did not want to go near it. If someone gave me a million dollars to hold one in my hand, I would not do it.

Thank You, Mattel!

The partnerships we have with a multitude of companies helps students make their experience in America Scores LA more enjoyable. At the conclusion of our season Mattel made it their goal to give students at Scores a memorable holiday season by providing them with the choice of a brand new Hot Wheels set or a gorgeous Barbie Doll. Our students received the gifts with wholehearted excitement and with a great appreciation. Some kids were inspired to share their thoughts with their giver and wrote letters to express their gratitude. Below are some of the letters we are sending to Mattel along with other gifts. Click on the link below the pictures to read the full letters kids wrote (albeit with slight edits).

Mattel Letter Links