In December, we had our first Cool Sports challenge of the year. Cool Sports is one of the students’ favorite activities here at the CalSERVES afterschool program. Each school sent one team to participate in the final dance and cheerleading competition, which was held on the stage at Sheppard Elementary. Everyone is always a winner in Cool Sports- each team got a distinct award for their dance or cheer.
Our eight local VIPs were in charge of doing the behind-the-scenes logistics for Cool Sports: finding coaches, making practice times, and getting everyone on the bus and safely to Sheppard and back. I came over to the gym at Sheppard, and a few teams were already there. The kids were a bundle of excited and nervous energy. As more schools arrived, it got crazier and crazier, with everyone getting on costumes, practicing, and sneaking glances at the other schools. It quieted down when Ms. Ford began the MCing, and the events began! The kids and their coaches had fantastic dances and cheers, and everyone cheered wildly for each of the other teams.
The award for “Hardest Dance” went to Kawana School (pictured). We had two amazing volunteers working as coaches with the Kawana team, Ms. Mitchell and Mr. H (back left). Together, they put in over 30 hours teaching dances and cheers. They also prepared chants so that the Kawana team could loudly cheer on every one of the other teams as they were making their way up to the stage. In the middle of their dance performance, the Kawna students even tried out a bit of break dancing that they had been working on with Mr. H. Our volunteers are an invaluable addition to our programs at CalSERVES, and their obvious hard work was evident in the great Kawana cheering and dance routines.
Thanks to all of our volunteers, VIPs, Sheppard School, and especially Ms. Ford for making this amazing event come together. And, finally, I can’t wait for Cool Sports basketball in February and track and field in April!
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