Heading to the White House for Let's Move Soccer Clinic with First Lady

This morning six America SCORES Denver students left D.I.A. for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Tuesday, May 15 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 Champion L.A. Galaxy.

"These six students, representing three Denver Public Schools elementary schools, have demonstrated extraordinary teamwork and leadership skills and an incredible commitment to the SCORES program this year, and are excellent representatives for our organization. The invite to the White House is a life altering opportunity for these poet-athletes, and is one that they will remember the rest of their lives," said Brandon Blew, Executive Director of America SCORES Denver.

Students were selected from Gust Elementary, Newlon Elementary, and Eagleton Elementary. Funding for this once in a lifetime opportunity for DPS students was made possible by generous community donations to America SCORES and the DPS Foundation.  "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 Blew.

We are so excited to receive more pictures from their day and will make sure to post about their White House visit!

What's Happening in Denver?

It's been almost a month since our supporters joined us at Inspired Art to eat, drink and enjoy our students' poetry and buy the art inspired by it!  Where have we been?  What are we doing?

Aaron & Regina in NYC

So many great things are happening we haven't had time to report them all!

Two poet-athletes were accompanied by a Denver chaperone and our own Executive Director to New York City April 14 - 17 for a trip of a lifetime and special performances at the historic Apollo Theater for America SCORES National Poetry Slam!  Aaron from Eagleton Elementary performed his original poem "Demon Cats" and Regina from Barnum Elementary performed "The Beautiful Game".  We're proud of both our poet-athletes for representing Denver!

Newlon boys write about
 their community

Ten schools' teams are busily managing service-learning projects led by the poet-athletes.  Drop by a writing workshop these days and you're likely to hear how long it takes a plastic bottle or an apple core to decompose, how much the City of Denver spends per year on graffiti removal, what kinds of trees or plants need what kind of soil and light to thrive, how many stray animals are picked up and what we can do to help, or even learn some tips about bully prevention.  It's pretty great what a team of motivated participants can make happen in their own communities when they learn and work together!

Cowell at Cheltenham

Our last home and away games were played this week, with players displaying the skills they've acquired through the season, as well as great sportsmanship.  Everyone is looking forward to next Friday's Jamboree! at the University of Denver.

D.U. students introduce
themselves at a visit to Knapp

We're excited to be partnering with D.U. this season.  Students from three sections of a writing course have observed SCORES sessions, volunteered at events and surveyed our parents and coaches as part of their studies this semester.  These students will be featured authors of blog posts, Facebook updates and SCOOP articles as we wrap up our spring season.  Keep watching!