Schools
Varsity Soccer Team Visits Elementary School in Fremont
American High School ShEagles players show Blacow students that teamwork isn't just for on the field
The ShEagles varsity soccer team of the American High School in Fremont was out in force on Friday, volunteering their time at Blacow Elementary to help with projects around the campus and in the classrooms.
This was the first year the group had made an appearance at Blacow.
Principal Angela Morariu said the team had been working diligently since their arrival that morning.
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“They have been unpacking stools and supplies for our science labs,” said Morariu. “They are also giving all of our bulletin boards in the multi-purpose room a much needed facelift.”
Morariu said the girls had been visiting classrooms and helping in the P.E. classes as well.
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Melissa Urena, a junior, has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old.
“I love being with the little kids. They are so cute,” she commented.
After visiting the kindergarten classes, Reina Rashop, a senior, mentioned they had helped with projects for the 100th day of school.
“We helped them [the kindergarteners] make crowns,” Rashop said.
The ShEagles ventured out onto the playground with the younger students helped to organize games among the classes. One of the team members even acted as a translator for a bilingual English-Spanish class of first graders.
The competitive varsity soccer team is lead by long-time coach, Jerry Losson, who teamed up with Blacow coach, Kim Johnson, to arrange for the girls to visit the school.
The team is comprised of 18 seniors and one freshman. Their soccer season traditionally runs from November to January.
During the season, the girls practice five days a week, at least one to two hours a day. They play games twice a week, which includes one home game and one away game. They travel as far as Pittsburg.
This year, the girls are proud to say they have made it to the NorCal Sectional play-offs.
"The girls are already speaking about their next visit [to Blacow]," said Losson. "If we got to one kid through the message to stay in school and that sport is an option to give the motivation, then a job well done."