Psalm One is wrapping up her tour

Recent news about our favorite rapper, Psalm One, who worked with Knapp Elementary SCORES participants in Denver this fall...
She has been busy in 2011! With a music release, an appearance on MTV's MADE, and the nationwide tour with The ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES, Psalm has been going non-stop.
Help support her mission and her music by pledging to her Kickstarter project! There are a few days left to reach the goal of $8,000, and they need everyone's help! You can pledge even $1, and by doing so you'll be helping her upgrade her equipment, finish the last studio sessions for her next full-length commercial release, and more importantly you'll be helping her continue her youth mentoring program, Charm Lab!

Thanks to everyone who supports Psalm One in her journey, as you're helping our poet-athletes' voices be heard.

Soccer Clinics Benefit SCORES

Over 60 kids participated in the "F-U-N holiday soccer clinic (ages u5-u9)" and "attacking soccer clinic (ages 10-12)" this week at Bill Roberts school.  The curriculum focused on fun, attack-oriented games and offensive skills.  All activities were co-developed and administered by experienced player-coaches including Bob Boyle, America SCORES Denver Board of Directors member and volunteer, and his brother Bill Boyle, a United States Soccer Federation 'A' licensed coach.

Our very own Executive Director and Coach Across America members were also part of the fun which had to be moved indoors to Bill Roberts school due to the Denver snow.  We had an amazing group of soccer players both days, and thanks to the generous contributions of participants $1,000 is being donated to America SCORES Denver.

None of this would have been possible without the donated time and energy of the Boyle brothers--what a great gift of fitness and fun to the participants, and a much appreciated gift of money to continue the inspirational programming provided to SCORES' poet-athletes in 2012!  Thanks to you all!

We're featured in Sunday's "Denver & The West"

Chris Webb instructs Eagleton Elementary students
in soccer after school on a recent afternoon,
as part of America SCORES Denver,
which combines academics and activity.
(RJ Sangosti, the Denver Post)

The Sunday December 4th Denver Post included an article highlighting America SCORES Denver as part of the "Season to Share" series.  Photos and video from a soccer practice and coaches at Eagleton Elementary were featured. See the story online at this link:  denverpost.com/news and check out  the video as well!

Cassandra Arreola, a 5th grader
in Denver, plays soccer after school
as part of the America SCORES program.
(RJ Sangosti, the Denver Post)

We're pleased to be one of the organizations that received funding through Denver Post Charities Season to Share! Nearly $2.7 million was granted to local nonprofit agencies through this program last year.  Donations are matched at 50 cents to the dollar, and 100% of all contributions plus the match goes to local nonprofits.

Have you shared yet? See the coupon in Sunday's paper or call 800-518-3972 or visit seasontoshare.com

Great Fall Season, Denver!

This is the final week of programming in Denver and tonight's Poetry Slam was evidence of the hard work our poet-athletes put into their writing sessions!

America SCORES Denver's 12th Annual Poetry Slam! was held November 8th at Abraham Lincoln High School.  Parents, guests and other schools' teams were entertained by students performing their original work in groups and individually.  Attendees also enjoyed performances by SCORES's special guest Jose Guerrero, a DU student who also attended west Denver schools, is a leading local actor, and competes nationally as a slam poet.  What a great night!

Thank you to all our wonderful soccer and writing coaches as well as the liaisons at each of the ten schools hosting America SCORES Denver!  Without you we couldn't provide after-school programming to 320 students in DPS and we appreciate your dedication.

Have a wonderful holiday season, everyone.  We'll see you in a few months!

We're the Daily Deal!

You don't have to be part of the extreme coupon craze, or even buy into an occasional online bargain to know this good deal when you see it! Who wouldn't want to visit Groupon to make a difference in the lives of others?  Not me. Not you. And we're hoping all your friends (real ones and the Facebook kind) will want to too!

Today, November 1st through Thursday, November 3rd, America SCORES Denver is being featured by the G-Team, a community outreach initiative within Groupon that bring communities together to do good, have fun, and make an impact.  G-Team has been working in Denver to help mission-driven organizations like ours raise money and awareness, channeling the collective buying power of Groupon followers and our local supporters.  100% of the proceeds raised through Groupon will come back to America SCORES Denver!

Tonight the "deal" tipped at 40 supporters!  In our first full day of the campaign we have received enough clickers and sharers to make sure this event goes forward.  Now our work is cut out for us to get the word out to the rest of our friends and make some new ones.  America SCORES Denver's Board of Directors has agreed to match each donation up to $1500.  Don't miss out on this Groupon-for-good opportunity!
Click here for our Denver Deal http://www.groupon.com/deals/gt-america-scores-denver

Teams Are Preparing for Upcoming SLAM!

Poetry Slam! is around the corner and America SCORES kids are getting ready by adding details to their poetry, creating actions that emphasize their words, and practicing in front of peers and coaches.

Here is a glimpse of what's to come from Munroe boys:

          It looks like a shadow walking down the street

          It sounds like a bat flapping his wings in the dark, spooky sky

          It tasted like a tortilla burned up in my stove

          It smelled like my stinky, smelly, nasty shoe

          It feels like spikey, gelled hair

          What color is it?     (black)

          It looks like a shiny FIFA trophy

          It sounds like a dangerous and fast cheetah

          It tastes like a delicious homemade tamale

          It feels like a soft Cocker Spaniel puppy

          It smells like a shiny treasure

          What color is it?      (gold)

We're sure you'll enjoy the other two colors they've written about!  

Make sure not to miss the 12th Annual Poetry Slam! at Abraham Lincoln High School November 8th from 5:30 to 7:30PM.  Come hear all the Denver poet-athletes perform their original works from the fall season and bring your money for an America SCORES Denver t-shirt!

Days 2 and 3 - Writing, Practicing, Recording

Thursday, October 13th Psalm One visited Knapp Elementary for a second day of writing and preparation for studio time on Monday the 17th. SCORES participants got out their pencils and put to paper their thoughts about what someone might say about them on their hundredth birthdays, positive behaviors that make them the "smart gang" and what they might tell an alien who came to their game on Friday.

Our talented guest then pulled examples from the writing to help create verses, including this one the poet-athletes memorized for their studio recording!

          Yes we're ready to make it right
          Say no to drugs and live yo' life
          This is our time to do our thang
          'Cause we're the smart gang
          We're the smart gang!

Monday afternoon the poets-turned-rappers were welcomed at Side 3 Studios by Psalm One and the magicians at the sound board who made them sound fabulous. Each student had a turn in front of the microphone, and in the studio to watch their headphone-wearing teammates. After the excitement everyone had a little time to play in the lounge.

We were all sad to say goodbye to our new friend but everyone is excited to hear how the song turns out! Thank you to ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES, Side 3 Studios, Rhymesayers Entertainment, and of course to Psalm One for her time and talents!