Davis Elementary Holds Soccer de Mayo Event!

On May 5th, Davis Elementary held a community soccer day called "Soccer de Mayo" to bring together students and families in celebration. Highlights for the kids included face painting, a Timbers "cheer" station, and a bouncy castle!

Davis Elementary's Keeley McAnnis-Entenman was kind enough to answer a few questions about the event and about AC Portland's relationship with the school:

AC Portland: What inspired Soccer de Mayo? Why was soccer the focus of this community day?

Keeley: Soccer de Mayo was inspired by the Rockwood community's need for a unifying event that could bring people together in a safe and fun environment. Soccer was the focus of this event due to its innate ability to be translated across languages, diverse demographics, and skill levels. Additionally, we wanted to promote health, exercise, and nutrition at this event, and provide a forum for families to see the accessibility of a healthy lifestyle.

AC Portland: Has having America SCORES and Soccer for Success at Davis increased interest in soccer? Has it increased parent involvement in any way?

Keeley: The impact of the America SCORES and Soccer for Success programs at Davis Elementary has been immeasurable. By providing out students with excellent soccer equipment, dedicated coaches, and an intentional curriculum, the America SCORES and Soccer for Success programs have enabled the Davis Soccer program to expand in the number of students involved, as well as set a standard of excellence for our kids. Through the opportunities provided by these programs, such as field trips and soccer games, we have seen a great increase in involvement from our parent community. Many parents have chaperoned our field trips and events, or volunteered during our soccer classes. It has been great to see parents play and interact with their kids on a different level. We are very grateful for the partnership cultivated between Davis Elementary and AC Portland, and look forward to all the future holds for the soccer programs at Davis.

Going to the White House!

America SCORES invited to White House for Let's Move Soccer Clinic with First Lady Michelle Obama


On May 15, 2012, thirty-four America SCORES students will get the opportunity of a lifetime. From America SCORES programs in DC, St. Louis and Denver, they will travel to The White House to participate in the Let's Move Soccer Clinic with First Lady Michelle Obama and the Major League Soccer (MLS) Champion LA Galaxy.

President Obama will welcome Major League Soccer champions, the LA Galaxy to the White House to honor their 2011 season and their MLS Cup victory. Following the ceremony, LA Galaxy players will join the First Lady to hold a Let's Move! soccer clinic on the South Lawn for students from across the country. The children will also have the chance to watch the ceremony.

"These six students [from America SCORES St. Louis] demonstrated good sportsmanship, thoughtful leadership, and perseverance this school year and are excellent representatives for our organization. The invite to the White House is beyond what we have dreamed for these kids and is an amazing opportunity that they will remember the rest of their lives," said Serena Muhammad, Founding Executive Director, America SCORES St. Louis.

Through a unique combination of soccer, poetry, and service-learning, America SCORES inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.

"We are honored that The White House recognizes the importance of what we do to address childhood obesity. Our hope is that we will continue to see even more support locally," added Muhammad.

America SCORES participants receive ten times more exercise than the national average and lower their BMI by 2% by the end of each season. Using soccer as a tool to encourage fitness, sportsmanship, and leadership, America SCORES inspires the life-long appreciation of sports and health-enhancing behaviors like choosing to eat more fruit and vegetables, participating in organized sports and spending less time watching television and playing video games. 

Each year, America SCORES serves 7,500 students at 150 schools through fourteen affiliates located in major urban centers across the United States. Founded in 1994 in Washington DC, America SCORES grew to a national organization and expanded to Denver in 1999, and again to St. Louis in 2005. Today, DC SCORES serves over 800 low-income DC youth at 27 schools; America SCORES Denver serves 320 youth at ten West Denver DPS schools; America SCORES St. Louis serves 260 youth at seven schools.

America SCORES Spring Frenzy!

On the afternoons of May 2nd and 3rd, the adidas Village was overtaken by 175 America SCORES participants who joined together to participate in AC Portland's first ever "Spring Frenzy" soccer jamboree. This friendly tournament, like the Fall Frenzy we held last October, brought teams together from 7 schools around the Portland area to compete in small sided soccer games. For several kids, these games served as their first  "real" games and also as their first time playing in full uniform, on a turf field. We were fortunate enough to have staff members from Golazo attend the event, providing all natural hydration drinks for the kids (and energy drinks for the grownups!) both afternoons. They definitely added to the exciting atmosphere of the event with their large Golazo tent, boombox, temporary tattoos, and awesome staff members. Thanks Golazo! On Wednesday, Timbers players Lovel Palmer and "Futty" Danso made an "unofficial" appearance, stopping by to surprise the kids and to let them ask questions about what it takes to be professional soccer players. On Thursday, Timbers players Chris Taylor and Ryan Kawulok spent the majority of the event playing soccer with the kids, chatting with the kids and volunteers, and signing autographs. They both had a great presence with the kids and their kindness and enthusiasm had a great impact on the success of our event. Other special guest included former Timbers player Mick Hoban, and Timbers Community Outreach Manager Christa Thoeresz. All of our guests and volunteers helped to make the day extraordinary for the kids and their presence was very much appreciated! Thanks everyone!

National SLAM video

Check out the video footage from the National Poetry SLAM of the AC Portland kids in Action!