Dallas SCORES Goal Post

2012 Fitness for yourself, Fitness and Literacy for a child

2011-12-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Have a healthy and fit New Year and help America SCORES Dallas students in the underserved area of Dallas. Please consider donating $10 or more to support our young children achieve their physical potential and improve their literacy. America SCORES Dallas is one of the few programs that combines literacy and physical fitness in one program. It is five days a week, 90 minutes each day. Teamwork, Leadership, Respect and Trust are the core values of this program.

Your support allows America SCORES Dallas to provide a holistic after-school program combining soccer, creative writing and community service to transform the lives of urban elementary school children in Dallas. We inspire children to lead healthy lifestyles, succeed academically and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. We need your help. Please post this to your Facebook Page and twitter accounts and help us achieve our goal to support our children.

To donate, follow this link to our website (Google Checkout page) for processing.
http://americascoresdallasdonate.weebly.com/

Dallas Scores 2011 Poetry SLAM!

2011-12-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a spectacular SLAM! We had over 350 people show up at Maria Moreno Elementary for our 2011 Poetry Slam....our BIGGEST SLAM in Dallas Scores history! 288 children went through a first round of preliminaries and only 3 boys and 3 girls per school made it to the second round. Over 50 contestants through out 9 schools competed for the chance to win an all expense trip to New York to recite their winning poem at the 2012 America Scores National Poetry Slam. I want to congratulate our 2 winners: Jose Rocha from Nancy J. Cochran Elementary with winning poem titled "I Gotta Go" and Karina Cortez from Cesar Chavez Learning Center with winning poem titled "Dallas". Every one of our poet-athletes did an AWESOME job. Kevin Hartman, goalie for FC Dallas, was our MC for the night. He signed autographs after our program while the kids and adults mingled and ate sandwiches catered by Subway. It was an event the kids will remember forever! Thanks to all who came out and to anyone involved helping prepare for our successful Slam!

Jose's poem:

I gotta go, I gotta go

I'll ask the teacher first

I gotta go, I gotta go

I think I'm going to burst

I gotta go, I gotta go

I'd better raise my hand

I gotta go, I gotta go

But maybe I should stand

I gotta go, I gotta go

My hand is raised up high

I gotta, I gotta go

I'm really in a bind

I gotta go, I gotta go

I think I'm going to explode

I gotta go, I gotta go

Uh oh, never mind

Karina's poem:

Dallas is a palace
A kingdom indeed.
All that we do is tend to succeed
We help people in need
Plus earn the honor to lead
Welcome to Dallas where the Rangers play
If you don't like to lose, it's best you stay away
If you like big buildings, come check out downtown
If you got a minute take a stroll and walk around
I sure so love my town
I love to see amazing things all around
Dallas is the most awesomest Palace
My wonderful Dallas

Watch Karina's poem by following this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7H56e9f6ZE&feature=youtu.be

Open Mic NIght

2011-11-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

What a great evening! We had over 60 poet-athletes and parents in the Starbucks that evening. Boy was it crowded! The children did a fantastic job reciting their poems. Our next one is at the same location (Starbucks on La Vista Drive in Dallas) Novemver 29th from 7:00-8:00pm. Hope to see you there!

Thankful for Dallas SCORES November

2011-11-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

Wow! Have we been busy! It takes a lot of work to run 9 schools, but what a joy to be able to say that! Our poet-athletes are getting acquainted with the new season. Most of our poet-athletes are new, but are catching on real quickly! We have already hosted 3 soccer game days, playing 4 games at once between our 9 schools. The kids always look so excited on game day. We are also working on preparing for the Poetry SLAM! that will be held in December. The poems are coming along just fine and some even tend to crack us up! We can't wait to hear them all!

We would like to send out a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped put together our 2011 Soccer Ball and to every one who attended that wonderful evening. Also to the children of Cesar Chavez for sharing their poetry with us that night! What a great event!

Open Mic Nights are on 11/9 and 11/29 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Starbucks on La Vista Drive in Dallas. Come out and watch our kids share some of their work from this season and grab a cup of coffee, too! THANK YOU STARBUCKS for hosting us!

Our Poetry SLAM! will be held at Maria Moreno Elementary @ 2115 South Hampton in Dallas. Come out and support our kids and see who will be the next boy and girl chosen to present their work in NEW YORK!

Ready....Set......GOAL!!!!!

2011-10-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

And we've started!!!!! Not only has season kicked off, but we kicked it off big time with 6 new schools. That makes a total of 9 schools for us this year!

I would like to welcome all of our schools:
Cesar Chavez Learning Center
Steven Park Elementary
Anson Jones Elementary
Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary
L.O. Donald Elementary
Leslie A. Stemmons Elementary
Maria Moreno Elementary
John W. Carpenter Elementary
Nancy J. Cochran Elementary

And a BIG thanks goes out to Big Thought for working with us!

We are so happy to have everyone with us, new and old! Our first game will be Friday October, 14th @ 4pm. We will have 4 games going on at 4 different locations (Anson Jones, Cochran, Moreno, Zaragoza). Come out and see one of the games!

Whole Foods 5% Community Giving Day

2011-08-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

This year we launched a happy partnership with our local Whole Foods on Park Lane. They adopted us as their organization of choice for the annual 5% Community Giving Day, a day on which 5% of sales will be donated to ASD.

Our 5% Day was yesterday! The entire ASD office spent the day at Whole Foods on Park Lane and shared our program with the community. Four of our Poet-Athletes from Cesar Chavez Learning Center joined us and helped thank customers for their part in helping support our program. It was a special day to celebrate our shared passion for the health of our community's children with Whole Foods and their customers.

We would also like to wholeheartedly acknowledge the hard work and support of Krista Brown and Annette Boardman, both of whom made this day possible. Thank you!

Groupon + ASD = Healthy Snack Campaign

2011-08-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

The “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds” campaign will be available on Groupon Dallas’ G-Team page beginning on Tuesday, August 23rd and running through Thursday, August 25th. Utilizing G-Team’s collective action model, Groupon followers can pledge support for the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds initiative in increments of $10, with each $10 providing healthy snacks for one poet-athlete (ASD student) for an entire semester.

America SCORES Dallas will distribute the healthy snacks to the participating DISD schools during the organization’s after-school soccer and poetry program. Approximately 100% of the participating students are from households that are at or below the poverty level and do not have access to low cost healthful food, making these healthy snacks a vital part of both a student’s engagement in their after-school activities and their overall nutrition during each day.

“It is exciting and a privilege that Groupon has chosen America SCORES Dallas to be the first G-Team campaign in the Dallas market. This opportunity will allow us to raise more awareness about the work we do,” says Robert Hernandez, Executive Director, “By providing our students with a healthy snack every day, Dallas residents can help our poet-athletes get the nutrition they need to fully engage in their afterschool enrichment activities.”

The G-Team partnership is part of ASD grassroots approach to raising awareness of the importance of proper nutrition and nutrition education for our youth to combat childhood obesity, especially in high-risk populations. The schools that participate in ASD’s program are in the most under-served neighborhoods in urban Dallas and lack access to health education and fresh healthy food. America SCORES Dallas serves approximately 288 students in 9 DISD schools.

8th Annual Soccer Ball is Coming!

2011-08-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

America SCORES Dallas' 8th Annual Soccer Ball Auction and Gala, Kick It Up a Notch!, is our largest fund and friend raiser of the year. Historically the Soccer Ball brings together over 200 guests, all philanthropic leaders in Dallas, each year and has raised over $1 Million dollars over the last 7 years.

For our 8th Annual Soccer Ball on October 21, we are really "Kicking it up a Notch!" Scott Romano of Charlie Palmer will provide a culinary adventure throughout the evening, exciting live and silent auction items will incite heated bidding wars, and a poetry performance from our poet-athletes will inspire.

Help us "Kick it up a Notch" this year! Learn more and get involved by visiting our website. You can donate auction items, suggest businesses as donors, and purchase your ticket or table!

Girls in the Game

2011-07-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the USA v Brazil World Cup game proved to be as entertaining as Transformers 3 on a hot summer day. In 3-D. Although there were no space robots or Michael Bay explosions, the game featured a goal within the first two minutes of play, a harsh referee, a devastating red card, an overtime goal by Brazil’s five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, a last minute (in extra extra overtime) equalizer by the US, and a penalty save during the game deciding shoot out.

And yet, this game earned a 2.6 overnight rating for ESPN compared to last year’s World Cup USA vs Ghana game’s 9.9 rating. The difference? Last year was the men’s World Cup and this year is the women’s World Cup.

Why the disparity? The answer may be found in the history of soccer. The first Women’s World Cup was held in 1999, 61 years after the first Men’s World Cup. From an historical perspective, women’s soccer has had less time to gain popularity and professional development. However, the history of women’s soccer parallels the world’s reception and attitude toward women playing soccer. Here is a great (albeit old) article about women’s soccer vs. men’s soccer. Mostly the differences cited are those of resources, support, and youth coaching. The lack of interest for women’s sports produces a lack of funding and thus less opportunity to develop the profession. This vicious cycle has led to a complicated state of affairs for women’s soccer. Yet, it can be as simple as - getting girls in the game.

Getting girls in the game is as valuable for promoting the future of women’s soccer as it is for the girls who play the game. According to Team-Up for Youth, “Sports and physical activity can give girls positive body image, improved self esteem, tangible experiences of competency and success and increased self confidence.” Through soccer, girls gain a breadth of experiences and life skills that they would otherwise not always have the opportunity to acquire. The good news for women’s soccer? More potential players, supporters, and fans. With new generations, there is hope that women’s soccer will finally get the attention that they deserve.

See how we are helping get girls in the game: visit us at www.americascoresdallas.org

Watch the USA’s semifinal game against France on ESPN3 on Wednesday, July 13th at 10:30 AM.

Brek Shea Shoots, Paints, and SCORES

2011-06-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Major League Soccer, Abstract Art, and Philanthropy? A winning combination for our own FC Dallas Forward/Mid-Fielder, Brek Shea. The 6'4" 21-year old is not only a crowd-pleasing, lightening fast, goal-scorer, he is a veritable artist with a collection of bold abstract paintings and a heart of gold.

This Sunday, Brek is hosting an Art Show and Auction of his paintings at NYLO Plano at Legacy and proceeds will benefit the FC Dallas Foundation and America SCORES Dallas. You are invited to come view Brek's work, bid on your favorite pieces, and feel good that your contribution will help give inner-city Dallas kids a chance to play soccer.

RSVP by Wednesday, June 22nd to foundation@fcdallas.net

2010-11 Program Year Summary

2011-06-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that our 2010 -2011 program year has come to an end. It has been an amazing year! I wanted to share this program year summary with you and demonstrate why we had one of the most successful program years since America SCORES Dallas was launched 2004.

- We served over 250 students in nine schools in Dallas and Ft. Worth

- We served over 500 students in over 20 schools in soccer clinics.

- Two of our students were selected at our fall Poetry SLAM! to perform at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.

- We hosted two Open Mic Nights at the Lakewood Starbucks with over 100 students, parents, teachers and supporters in attendance.

- FC Dallas players, Eric Avila, Brek Shea, and Kevin Hartman led a soccer clinic at Stevens Park Elementary.

- Each team developed a neighborhood-specific service project this spring, which ranged from recycling to health and wellness education.

- Our students recited their year-end poems and presented their community service projects at the Wyly Theater.

- Our students played their end of the year soccer tournament at the Cowboys Stadium with almost 1,000 in attendance.

None of this would have been possible without supporters like you.

Looking into the future, we have a number of exciting things developing - such as our growing collaborations with The Art Institute of Dallas, Big Thought/Thriving Minds, and Whole Foods. As always we will continue to strive to serve more schools and offer the best program we can. We appreciate your time, effort and contributions. Ultimately, all the hard work is about the children and enriching their lives. They represent not only our future, but the future of our community. It is up to us to invest in our children and make a meaningful impact.

Thank you for making this a wonderful year and being a part of the solution. We look forward to another year of growth

Yours in service,

Robert Hernandez
Executive Director

America SCORES Dallas

rhernandez@americascores.org
214.760.8133 (o)

214.760.8166 (f)

Get Your Dad a Gift at SAKS

2011-06-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Still need to get Dad a gift that says, "Hey Dad, thanks for being my Dad"? Head to Saks Fifth Avenue this weekend to get that special gift! Your Dad might also appreciate that 10% of the purchase will go toward helping inner-city youth play soccer, write poetry, help their neighborhoods, and stay off the streets.

Jamboree at Cowboys Stadium

2011-06-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Our end-of-the-year-soccer-extravaganza-tournament was held this year at, yes folks, the Cowboys Stadium. Over 250 Poet-Athletes from Dallas and Fort Worth played soccer for four hours on the very turf that is home to Dallas' Cowboys in front of an audience of nearly 750 parents, siblings, and friends.

For many of our poet-athletes, this was the first time they had really left their urban neighborhoods in Dallas, much less stepped inside the new billion dollar Cowboys Stadium. This was truly a night to remember!

Thank you to all our volunteer Referees and our fabulous Starbucks volunteers!

SHOUT! at the Wyly Theater

2011-05-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

“Oh cool!” Esmerelda G. exclaimed as she walked into the Wyly Theater’s rehearsal space. It is no surprise that this phrase was repeated many times on Friday evening as more SCORES kids shuffled into the lime green, mirrored room overlooking an Astro-turf patio with a view of the Dallas Arts District. The scene was stunning.

And then the kids began their poems and the excitement in the room buzzed. Stevens Park Elementary proclaimed their poetic love of soccer, Cesar Chavez Learning Center performed odes to their namesake Cesar Chavez, Anson Jones Elementary recited the virtues of recycling, Maple Lawn Elementary told tale of themselves and their families, and Lida Hooe Elementary reflected on the travails of school.

It was a fantastic event and the kids did a great job! Thank you coaches, parents, students, and the Wyly Theater for making this event a success!

Celebration Time: SHOUT! & Jamboree

2011-05-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

This week is BIG. It's bursting with our two year-end events, SHOUT! and Jamboree. As the last week of the 2010-11 program, our poet-athletes are busily preparing their community service project boards, their group and individual poems, AND their soccer skills.

This Friday, everyone will fill the Wyly Theater to share and celebrate their semester's work of "Writing for the Community." Each school will present their group and individual poems and then share their community service projects. What a great end to a year of poetry reading, writing, performing, singing, recycling, educating, neighborhood cleaning, and playing!

Then on Saturday evening, poet-athletes, coaches, family, friends, volunteers, Board Members, and ASD staff will take over Cowboys Stadium for a night of soccer games. All the Dallas schools will have the chance to play several games with the Fort Worth schools for the first time this year.

This week is BIG. And will definitely be crazy fun.

One Game Day, Four Games

2011-04-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

Our game day last Friday was probably one of the windiest days I’ve ever experienced! The goals were blowing all over the place, the balls weren’t staying in position, and there were even a few dirt devils swirling around the field. Did that stop us? Not even for a second! It really turned out to be a great day. We had a lot of people show up. One special group of Starbucks volunteers showed up and made Gatorade for the kids and even set up a face-painting table. We had paintings of cute little butterflies to stars painted on the cheeks, and even a few mustaches and unibrows on some of the girls. The girls got into it more than the boys, but all in all, everyone had a great time. Thank you Starbucks for making this game day one to always remember.

- Crystal Schober

Program Coordinator

Across town at Anson Jones Elementary School, the wind was blowing just as hard. Luckily we had stakes to hold down the goals, but they still managed to flip over a few times from the forceful gusts of wind. At times, I thought the tiny third graders would be blown away, but they all persevered and played as hard as they always do. The new school, Lida Hooe, came out to Anson Jones and showed their new skills out on the soccer field while friends and families watched. We may not have had face painting, but we still had lots of fun!

- Tessa Handa
Americorps*VISTA

New Year, New Opportunities

2011-04-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Lida Hooe Elementary. This year, 2011, has opened many doors for America SCORES Dallas. In February, we brought in a new school, Lida Hooe, to the program through our capacity building model and our partnership with Big Thought/Thriving Minds. This will be the 5^th school the America SCORES Dallas program will serve this year!

FC Dallas. In March, FC Dallas invited our poet-athletes, coaches, staff, and the Board of Directors to their opening game! What a fun night. Our partnership with FC Dallas has also captured the attention of a few of their star players. This week, FC Dallas Stars, Brek Shea, Kevin Hartman, and Eric Avila volunteered at Steven’s Park Elementary to help our kids with some pro soccer tips during their soccer practice.

Thank you Donors! On March 31st, we threw our first annual Donor Appreciation Reception at Café San Miguel. The evening was spent honoring the commitment our donors have made to America SCORES Dallas. We also showed them how they have impacted the lives of inner-city Dallas youth through the impromptu poetic performances of three poet-athletes. We are SO very thankful for all our donors.

STARBUCKS. This April we are partnering with Starbucks to help our schools and the community. The Starbucks Foundation awarded a $15,500 grant to America SCORES Dallas for our Sprouts in Action for Greener Communities project. Also, locally, Starbucks partners (Starbucks’ lingo for “employee”) have been challenged to donate their time helping our schools with community service projects, game days, and tutoring! In addition to all the volunteering, the Lakewood Starbucks is hosting two Open Mic Nights for any poet under the age of 16 to share their original poetry.

National Poetry SLAM ! Also in April, two of our students, Angel J. from Stevens Park and Dulce F. from Cesar Chavez, went to the National Poetry Slam in New York to read their poems and represent America SCORES Dallas! What a great adventure for these kids!

MAY. May is going to be BUSY. On May 13^th, we will be hosting our annual SHOUT at the AT&T Wyly Theatre. The children of all our Dallas schools will come together to share their poetry that they have worked on all year. Then, the following day, May 14^th, is our Jamboree at….get this…..Cowboys Stadium!!! How cool is that?! Our Dallas school soccer teams will take on our Fort Worth school soccer teams. What a way to end the season.

This is only the first half of this busy year. Keep your eyes and ears open about what ASD will be up to for the second half!

- Crystal Schober
Program Coordinator

April Fools' Day: Some Serious Soccer

2011-04-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

April’s first game day fell on April Fool’s Day, a day historically wrought with chicanery and practical jokes. However, once the first whistle was blown out on Maple Lawn Elementary's field, there was no fooling around. Both teams were focused on the task at hand: playing some soccer. And that is exactly what they did.

Maple Lawn v Steven's Park: A Volunteer's Perspective

2011-03-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

The most recent game day for America SCORES was between Maple Lawn and Stevens Park elementary schools. As a new volunteer for America SCORES I was excited to see the fruits of everyone’s labor (the students, the coaches, and the people behind the scenes who keep this organization humming) culminate into a fun and beautiful afternoon of soccer.

We showed up early to paint the lines for the field and assemble the goals. Before we could even get the equipment ready a group of the America SCORES students had already gathered around the field eager to start practice and kick the ball around. You could tell the students were genuinely excited about the game, and almost annoyed with the fact that they weren’t already playing. We recruited them to help assemble the goals, which ended up being a great exercise in teamwork, because I don’t think any of us were exactly positive on how to put them together. Once the initial setup was complete the boys and the girls were separated to start drills and get warmed up. It was obvious to me at this point that the competitive spirit wasn’t a necessary element of game day; it was mostly about running around and having fun. The kids really just wanted to hang out with their friends.

As it got closer to game time the field started to fill up with friends, parents, siblings, and teachers. It was great to see that this was actually a community event. Everyone wanted to come out and support the players, and in a way, support the organization. The game was 40 minutes of organized chaos, but that’s okay because everyone was yelling and shouting and cheering them on, and you could tell it really made them feel good.

The game was an overall success (as I am sure every game is) because, while score is not taken into consideration, everyone wins. The kids were able to have fun, get exercise, practice teamwork and gain confidence through the support of their friends and family. The parents were able to see their kids have healthy interactions with others and work towards a common goal. And the teachers, coaches and volunteers were visibly able to see that they were helping to build and strengthen communities. It is a great representation of how America SCORES is able to fulfill its mission, and I am very glad to be a part of it.

Katie Jackson
America SCORES Dallas Volunteer

National Spotlight on Nutrition Education

2011-03-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Many things happen in March. Spring Break. March Madness. Spring Equinox. St. Patrick’s Day. It is also the month of the American Diabetes Association’s annual campaign, National Nutrition Month©. For 2011, the theme is “Eat Right with Color” and focuses on how the nutritional value of food can be indicated by their naturally bright pigments. Green broccoli, red bell pepper, purple egg plant, yellow banana, just to name a few!

Here at America SCORES Dallas, we celebrate healthy lifestyles everyday in the classroom and out on the soccer field. We educate, lead by example, and make fun games around eating healthy and participating in physical activities. Last week at Maple Lawn Elementary, the girls’ soccer team played “Red Light, Green Light,” a game based on identifying healthy foods (a green light to dribble forward) and unhealthy foods (a red light to stop dribbling). This type of health education is pivotal for the children we serve, who all live in low-income and minority neighborhoods. These children face a number of barriers to eating healthy, participating in physical activities, and gaining knowledge of healthy habits, yet they consistently have deficient education and support from the school district.

As the nation observes nutrition education awareness this month, America SCORES Dallas celebrates our students' progress toward healthier lives every day.

Check out the campaign's nutrition education games and quizzes!

First Game Day of the Year: Cesar Chavez v Maple Lawn

2011-03-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, the orange of Cesar Chavez and the purple of Maple Lawn united on the winter-browned field of Cesar Chavez Learning Center. The goal nets billowed in the wind, the on-lookers shielded their eyes from the February sun, and the kids happily chased the flying soccer ball. As the first game day of 2011, Friday saw an overwhelming turn out of parents, teachers, and other students on the side lines cheering on their teams. Even the Cesar Chavez Thunderbirds cheerleaders were out jumping, flipping, and cheering.

The two games were a great start to a spring full of soccer games and fun. Stay posted for more updates on the upcoming games and events!

Wells Fargo Advisors Visit Cesar Chavez Learning Center

2011-03-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month, Wells Fargo Advisors presented America SCORES Dallas with a check for $8,500. The boys and girls of Cesar Chavez Learning Center were able to help accept the check on behalf of America SCORES Dallas and learn about the bigger picture surrounding their daily afterschool program. Wells Fargo Advisors help us empower our at-risk youth to be more engaged students, supportive teammates, and leaders of healthy lifestyles and community change. Thank you Wells Fargo Advisors!

Poem of the Week

2011-02-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

Recess

Jesus O., Grade 5

Cesar Chavez Learning Center

I was barely coming outside

When everyone started running all around

Then I realized

We were out in the playground

I ran to the ring of soccer

Then they gave us a ball

Everyone ran toward it

I almost started to fall

They passed me the ball

I started to run

Everyone said it

Was supposed to be fun

I ran and I ran

Then I shook every player

I was running

In just one layer

I couldn’t get enough

I was having so much fun

That was good stuff

Poem of the Week

2011-02-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

Death

By Jesus, Grade 5

Cesar Chavez Learing Center

Everyone is going to die

Sometimes close, sometimes far

So we should worship our lives

And not waste it in a bar

Some people don’t want to understand

The cause of our life

Some do and they get married with a lovely wife

Some don’t understand

And they leave it up to fate

So what I am saying is

Enjoy life before it is too late.

Art Exhibit Benefits America SCORES Dallas

2011-02-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Atlas. Ashely Collins. 2010.

Last Thursday, Stay Za Za Art House and Social Gallery, Hotel Za Za’s newest addition, hosted Ashley Collins’ opening of “Twelve O’Clock” as its inaugural exhibit. The series was curated by Turner Carroll Gallery, an international contemporary art gallery located in Sante Fe, and turned the sparse space of Stay Za Za into an intimate encounter with Collins’ work. Collins is a renowned artist who incorporates various media, such as resin, pages from old books, and oil, with ephemeral horse imagery on large wood panels. She also has a strong sense of philanthropy and in each community she shows her work, she chooses a worthy cause to be the recipient of 10 percent of her proceeds. For her show in Dallas, Collins chose America SCORES Dallas. Thank you Ashley Collins!

“Twelve O’Clock” will be on display at Stay Za Za Art House and Social Gallery until March 26th. To see more of her work visit her website.

Stay Za Za Art House and Social Gallery

2400 McKinney Ave

Dallas, TX 75201

(214)468-8399

Meet Crystal!

2011-01-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday was Crystal’s first day as our new Program Coordinator at America SCORES Dallas. We were lucky to have the chance to get to know her and introduce her to you through a good old-fashioned interview:

Hi Crystal, welcome to the office. What is your background?

My background is actually in accounting. I was a manager of taxes and accounting at a firm in Grapevine for 4 years. I also have about 8 years of experience teaching and substitute teaching at a private school in Keller. At the private school I also ran an after school program, which provided activities and homework help. Last fall, I assisted Allison, the America SCORES program coordinator in Fort Worth, with Friday game days. In addition to working here at America SCORES, I am in nursing school part-time and plan to graduate at the end of the summer.

Very diverse! Tell me about the most rewarding experience you’ve had doing program work.

During the afterschool program at the private school, I was able to see the children progress from point A to point B. The moment a kid realizes that they can accomplish their goals is priceless. They not only enjoyed these activities that we provided, but they learned a lot.

What attracted you to America SCORES?

I was originally drawn to America SCORES simply because it is a non-profit organization that helps out under-resourced children. I have two kids and know what it is like to be a single mother with the odds stacked against you. After helping out with game days in Fort Worth last fall, I saw how much America SCORES impacted these kids’ lives and I wanted to get more involved.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?

Instant Healing Touch. I would love to be able to heal anyone, physically or emotionally, instantaneously!

Poem of the Week

2011-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Family

By: Adan, Grade 4
Cesar Chavez Learning Center

My family is lovely

My family is Wild

My family is a pain in the butt

My family’s feelings are kinda sad, mad, funny

My family is mad when we don’t clean up

My family is happy when we get new stuff

My family is sad when something breaks

My family makes me shine

My family is a shiny gold star

My family is a wonderful generation

Superbowl's Slant 45 Serves our Community

2011-01-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

With anticipation for the Super Bowl XLV, SLANT 45 participants have been working to showcase our community all year long. SLANT 45 Service Learning Adventures is a program that encourages children to partake in community service projects to improve the North Texas area. More that 44,000 children were a part of the program that came to an end Wednesday night with a concert at the American Airlines Center. Similar service-learning projects are incorporated into the spring semester of the America SCORES Dallas’ program.

Each year, SCORES poet-athletes have an opportunity to engage in community service projects; past projects include an anti-bullying campaign, a school garden, neighborhood beautification, and a water conservation mural. Both SLANT 45 and America SCORES Dallas are creating opportunities for our youth to become agents of change in their communities through service learning initiatives.

For more information on SLANT 45 visit their website at http://www.slant45.org. News on SLANT 45’s Wednesday concert celebration can be found here. Stay tuned throughout this spring for updates on the America SCORES Dallas poet-athletes’ community service projects!

Poem of the Week

2011-01-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

My Pet

By: Hugo, Grade 4

Cesar Chavez Learning Center

My pet is a dog and is fun.

I play with him outside and play in the park
But he gets mad at me one of these times.

We watch movies and cartoons on TV and we run.

I love my dog and he loves me so much.

I take him to walk in the park.

We read together and we paint and he helps to clean,

The bed and put decorations on a Christmas tree.

He was a good dog.

Save the Date: Hotel ZaZa Art Exhibit

2011-01-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

2011-01-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

It's 2011, a brand new year for us to play more soccer, write more poetry and inspire more poet-athletes. And what better way to bring in the new year than to celebrate the spectacular times of the year past? America SCORES Dallas is proud to present...

1. SLAM!, Fall Poetry Slam. Although SLAM is the last event of the year, it is at the top of our list. This fall all four schools came together to present group and individual poems to compete for two spots to go to New York City for the National Poetry Slam.

2. ASCAP Singer Songwriter Collaboration. This past Fall, Dondria aka Phafffat wrote and recorded an original song with 32 poetry athletes from Steven's Park Elementary School.

3. America SCORES Dallas goes to Fort Worth. Thanks to a 2-year grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice, we were able to bring our program to 4 Fort Worth Schools in 2010 and through 2011.

4. 7th Annual SoccerBall & Auction. Cesar Chavez poet-athletes performed their poetry for over 200 guests from the community and helped raise over $213,000 for the program.

5. Community Service Projects. Each school chose a community service project to help strengthen their community and teach the poet athletes the importance of giving back. Students cleaned up their neighborhoods, created recycling programs at their school, and even created an anti-bullying campaign at Stevens Park Elementary.

6. Game Days. Every Friday Game Day in Dallas brought parents, teachers and other community members together to cheer on the teams and support their poet-athletes in a friendly game of soccer.

7. Mentors. Rebecca, an America SCORES volunteer, gave a talk to Ft. Worth poet-athletes about how doing well in school helped her go to Notre Dame and play soccer at the collegiate, international, and semi-pro domestic level.

8. SHOUT!, Spring Poetry Slam. Last Spring, all four schools participated in a poetry slam to share both their poetry and community service projects at the Winspear Opera House.

9. Capitol For Kids grant awarded to America SCORES Dallas for the first time.

10. Casino Night. On May 1st, we hosted our first Casino Night fundraiser which was full of games, winnings and fun.

As you can see we had a spectacular 2010, but we are excited for what 2011 has in store!

Here are some events and happenings to look forward to this year:

SHOUT!, Jamboree, 8th Annual Soccerball & Auction, SLAM, Fall Frenzy, and, of course, more interesting and informative posts on Dallas SCORES Goal Post. So, stay "posted" for more updates and information. We look forward to having a fantastic 2011!

Poem of the Week

2010-12-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

My Family

By: Andrew, Grade 4

Cesar Chavez Learning Center

My family is like you’ve never seen.

My family is like a teacher at home.

My family is like a waiter that asks us what we want.

My family is like a map that leads me from wrong to right.

My family is like a doctor that helps me when I am sick.

My family is what creates love in our home.

Like I said,”My family is like you’ve never SEEN”!

Poet-Athletes Record Original Song with ASCAP Artist Dondria aka Phatfffat

2010-12-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Every year, The America Society of Composers, Authors, and Publisher’s (ASCAP) songwriter residency program partners with America SCORES to place an artist with participating SCORES affiliate sites. These artists help a select group of students from one of the schools transform their words into an original song to perform and record in a professional studio. This year, America SCORES Dallas had the honor of working with So So Def artist, Dondria aka Phatfffat. A Dallas local, Dondria was first discovered as a YouTube channel sensation and now has 3.6 million profile views and over 100,000 subscribers. Her recent album, Dondria V Phatfffat, was released just this last August. Last week, Dondria spent 3 days with all 32 Poet-Athletes from Steven’s Park Elementary School and helped them write, memorize, and sing an original song, “Let’s Party.”

Day 1 “The Classroom: Part 1”
Dondria introduced the main lyrics of “Let’s Party” to the Poet-Athletes at Steven’s Park Elementary School. After learning the lyrics, it was then the students’ task to finish the song with two additional verses. Dondria encouraged the students to brainstorm ideas for the lyrics by thinking of words and concepts that connected to the theme of the song: getting together with friends and having a good time.

Day 2 “The Classroom: Part 2”

After school, the Poet-Athletes were jumping out of their seats and peering out of classroom 201 waiting in anticipation for Dondria’s arrival so they could continue working on their song collaboration. At exactly 4:15, a boy yelled to his class, “She’s here!” Immediately, all the kids rushed to their seats with their eyes fixed on the doorway awaiting Dondria’s entrance. Dondria arrived in a whirl of positive energy carrying a stack of their printed lyrics with the credits at the bottom pronouncing, “Written and Performed by Dondria aka Phatfffat and Steven’s Park Poet-Athletes.” Then it was down to business. The students rehearsed the song and practiced singing with rhythm. Once she felt the students were ready, Dondria had them practice singing the song with the instrumental track. Dondria was kind and patient with the students during the entire process and encouraged them to express their experiences through words and song.

Day 3 “The Studio”
On Wednesday, the students filed onto a school bus that whisked them away to nearby Crystal Clear Studios. As the bus approached the studio, the excitement intensified and the kids tumbled out of the bus ready to start their recording session. In the studio, Dondria greeted the students and immediately ushered them into place around the four microphones. Together, Dondria and the students huddled in a circle around the microphones and listened to the instrumental track and the control room operator’s instructions on their over-sized studio headphones. In alternating intervals they sang, clapped and laughed, filling the recording studio with their voices. Dondria encouraged every student to sing and have fun, while also inspiring them by lending her own skilled vocals to the track. By the end of the night, the students were exhausted, but grateful for the chance to meet and sing with Dondria in a professional recording studio. They left the studio that night with an aura of pride, joy and accomplishment.

America SCORES Dallas and the students at Steven’s Park sincerely appreciate this opportunity made possible by ASCAP and the incredibly talented, Dondria aka Phatfffat. The album of songs produced through the partnership between ASCAP and America SCORES, including “Let’s Party,” will be released in Spring 2011.

Poem of the Week

2010-12-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

My Class

By: Fernando, Grade 5

Cesar Chavez Learning Center

My class is like a zoo

when they scream a lot

My class looks like a snake

when they get out of line

My class is like crazy monkeys

when they talk a lot

My class looks like traffic

when they are in line

My class is like a circus

when they run around too much

On the playground or at recess

My class are like tigers

when they run so much or when they are really fast

Poem of the Week

2010-12-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

What did they do to my Beautiful Earth?

By: Hector, Grade 5

Cesar Chavez Learning Center

I’m up in the sky looking at people

Throwing trash to the floor

I say, “No, No you better pick that up”

I was so angry for what they did to my earth

People cutting trees

The Earth was so sad

She felt so brown

There was no oxygen

People look what they did to our Earth

The Garbages were so full

No more trash could fit

There were a lot of factories

The air was not clear

It turned into something awful that no person could smell it

It surrounded the whole world

The next day I was so mad

I just wanted to make the greatest thunderstorm

And I did

I splashed everything

Not even a crumb of trash

Everyone was happy

No more factories that spread out the smoke

I am always watching

For those days I have not forgotten in the sky

I am a cloud

And I will never forget what they did to my Beautiful Earth

Stay In Stride With America SCORES Dallas

2010-12-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

Keep up with the latest news and information about America SCORES Dallas with Facebook and Twitter. By becoming our Friend on Facebook or following us on our brand new Twitter feed, you will stay up to date on our upcoming events, the latest happenings with our Poet-Athletes, and interesting stories on poetry, soccer, the community and more. Also, as a friend or follower you can tell us what you think and share your opinions. So, what are you waiting for? Friend us!

Already connected to us through social media? Interested in an easy way to start making a difference for our Poet-Athletes today and everyday...for free? Try GoodSearch. Every time you search, a small amount is donated to America SCORES Dallas by GoodSearch. GoodSearch works just like Google or Yahoo! and requires no downloads of any kind. If we all step up and make this small change to our daily internet browsing routine, together we can help provide notebooks or soccer cleats for our students. Click on the logo below to get started!

Upcoming Goal Posts:

7th Annual SoccerBall Auction Raises over $180,000
Poet-Athletes at Steven's Park elementary record song with ASCAP artist Dondria aka Phatfffat.

Game Day: Cesar Chavez v Anson Jones!

2010-11-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, it was sunny, breezy and buzzing with excitement at Cesar Chavez’s playground. The boys and girls decked out in the bright orange jersey of Cesar Chavez huddled at one end of the field, and the other boys and girls in the dark navy jersey of Anson Jones ran warm-up drills at the other end. Parents lined the freshly painted lines of the soccer field, setting up chairs under the shade of a big oak tree. Game Day had finally arrived. Maureen, our Program Coordinator, snapped pictures like the paparazzi capturing the excited and nervous faces of our poet-athletes. A little girl ran over to her, "Can I see the pictures?! Am I in one?"

Then Jarrod, our Americorps VISTA, blew the whistle, the coaches yelled instructions and soon the starting players were out on the field and the girls' game had begun! The ball bounced back and forth between the two goals and the girls ran and kicked their hearts out. A mom paced behind one of the goals shouting encouraging words at her daughter and a little brother ran up and down the side lines enthralled with the action. When the final whistle blew, all the girls and the coaches lined up to congratulate each other on a game well played.

The boys' game started with a flurry of excited yells and a stampede of boys running after the flying ball. One of the older boys from Anson Jones wove through Cesar Chavez's defense and sunk the ball into the back of the net, the crowd going wild. Victorious, he ran back to the center line, bent down on one knee and pointed to the sky like a true pro player in training. Cesar Chavez, unfazed, kicked-off again and continued to have fun playing their long awaited game of soccer.

Exhausted, the kids slowly left the huddle of their teammates to join their proud parents and go home, already anticipating the next Game Day.

The Goal Post

2010-10-13T12:48:00.001-07:00

America SCORES Dallas is proud to welcome you to its very first blog entry here at the Goal Post. America SCORES Dallas has been serving students ages 8-12 in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area for the past seven years by providing a safe and enriching after school program comprised of soccer, poetry, and service learning. Weekly, students spend ninety minutes every day after school, led by their respective coaches, either improving their teamwork and physical fitness through soccer, or improving their creativity and reading skills through poetry.

America SCORES Dallas is an affiliate of the America SCORES program, a national 501(c)3 non-profit which is made up of over 15 different affiliates from around the country and serves over 6,000 under-resourced youth annually.

Currently, America SCORES Dallas poet-athletes are working tirelessly writing their new poems for SLAM!, a poetry slam held in Dallas on December 10th. Students will compete for not only bragging rights, but some will be competing for the chance to travel to New York City to compete in America SCORES National Slam!

One of our schools, Cesar Chavez, has been kind enough to share one of their excellent works:

MY COMMUNITY by AMERICA SCORES CHAVEZ GIRLS

My community has a lot of things

It has my family and friends and my neighbor that sings

It has schools, doctors, and stores

It has my family and It has Dallas Scores

My community has plants and that is what I smell

My community has sounds like when children yell

Some of it is dirty and some people are mean

That is why we work together to make it clean

We make it cleaner for a better tomorrow

Well at least my community is cooler than Mr. Mauro

Soccer, Soccer that’s Why I’m Here

Soccer, Soccer I could play it all year

Cesar Chavez was a leader in our community

That is the way I want to be

We painted our school to make it beautiful

We taught others how to be more kindful

Dallas Scores taught us to write

It taught us how to be nice

They say that this program will keep us on track

I say that I just feel good about giving back

Sometimes we see homeless people in the street

We give a hand and help them get back on their feet

It brings sad things to my heart and mind

We wanted to do something kind

We collected cans to donate

Community means that you love, not hate

In scores we learned a lot about poetry

We also learned a lot about our community

And now it is over and we want to say Thank YOU!

To our parents, our teachers, our coaches and You,

Dallas Scores, the board and the donors

Without you we would not have had had this honor

You have made our dreams possible and that is a fact

To make others dreams possible, we will always remember to give back.

THANK YOU

Please check back regularly for updates, articles, and upcoming event details!