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

Letters to Ourselves

  This year at Braddock Elementary we had the boys write themselves a letter as part of our final exercise for poetry. There were no specific guidelines and while some students looked back on their time with scores, others took the opportunity to set goals for themselves. In particular Bryant & Edgar's letters demonstrates how effective writing is in engaging students to participate in a conversation with themselves.  

  

  Through writing Bryant (3rd grader) is able to overlook his own thoughts and asses how well it reflects his point of view and his ideals. Though he is aware of the fact that school is a great place to have fun and make friends, he doesn't disregard that it is also a place where growth and success can be experienced.

  Looking closer at  Edgar's letter (5th grader) we see that students are aware of their audience. Edgar lets us know that he had a great time at LA Scores and that it can be attributed to his new teammates. He also goes on to state when he will leave and how that will affect him leaving us conscious of how LA Scores benefitted his being.

  Our students make the experience for us as coaches comforting. Their efforts in the classroom and on the field will go beyond a letter grade in school and a healthy body; it will be a special memory.

Goal at Game Day

Catching a goal on camera at Game Day is a hard thing to do. Luckily, we can say that this isn't the case for Danny. We hope to see him next year.! 

Goals Soccer Center

Good morning everybody!!

It's been a minute since we've last posted and can't apologize enough for the long pause. We've had a lot of things going on; we will soon begin to unveil how our Fall Season concluded but for now we'll let the suspense build. Meanwhile, enjoy these lovely pictures from our field trip to Goals Soccer Center last Tuesday with our Middle School Alums. 

 

 
 

Thank You AYSO Region 20 !

AYSO is recognized as a leader in developing eager youth into responsible and skilled athletes.  Apart from giving their own participants a world-class soccer program and a unique experience, they also willingly lend out their resources to organizations striving to achieve similar goals. AYSO Region 20 is a prime example of those exertions. On November 7, 2013 Region 20 came out to one of our very own Game Days and gave our student-athletes the opportunity to select a new pair of cleats from their donated soccer cleats collection. SCORES students were ecstatic about the gesture and their uncontrollable smiles reflected their gratitude. We want to thank AYSO Region 20 for their help and contributions to making SCORES LA even more of a memorable experience for our youth. Thank you as well to the girls who volunteered to set up for the event and helping kids pick their correct sizes. They are Sophia S, Ava S, Olivia K, and Emma S.