By the Norwood News

Under the leadership of PS/MS 95 school principal Serge Marshall Davis, the fledgling middle school’s extracurricular school sports program has taken off. This coeducational program meets regularly — several afternoons per week and on various Saturdays.  The program’s goal is to build a strong foundation for future competitive seasons in basketball and soccer.

Soccer coach and teacher Angela Pardo, is a soccer enthusiast with a player’s background, giving students the chance to share their talent.

“We’ve got a lot of talented kids in the building.  They have talent and a certain spark,” she observed, reflecting on the sports practices.  “Involvement in the sport also provides a place to practice respectful behavior, risk-taking, teamwork and methods of dealing with the problems, challenges and emotions of winning and losing.”  The students are committed to pursuing these activities to a higher level and to applying the skills to life.

 

Sisters Anai and Nancy Salas, in grades seven and eight respectively, tout the benefits of exercising, learning strategy, and meeting students from other classes. Sixth grader Jonathan Gonzalez enjoys setting goals and achieving them, much like setting his sights on the soccer goal and getting the ball into it.  Eighth grader Elias Rojas has been playing soccer since he was three years old—and says it’s a perfect way to have fun.

Basketball Coach, Dean Damon Santiago, is a former professional athlete who truly understands the effect that sports can have on a person’s life.  He professes that “Sports can change students’ lives for the better.  Students who work hard can potentially play on a high school team”. Coach Santiago was able to go through college on athletic scholarships. He traveled the world, experiencing different cultures as a pro-team member. “Sports can open up doors that can help you to be very successful in life as an adult.  You learn to work as a team while also learning how to be competitive.”

Congenial eighth grade student George Nunoo has been playing basketball since he was four years old. He has a chance to improve his skills and help others in this program. He bolsters others with his resolve:  “You can’t just come in one day and dribble and expect to be the best dribbler in the world,” he says. “You have to keep practicing.  I like practicing – it’s fun and I like to assist people.  As a matter of fact, I learned as a youngster that ‘hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.’”

The school hopes to transition to a competitive sports program in the future, so that students can officially compete with teams from other middle schools.  For now, the program anticipates ending a strong year with a company of athletes dedicated to physical fitness, sports readiness and team building.