Bonding With the Bears, Part III: Fall Frenzy!

Every week this fall we will be visiting the Barnard Bears during poetry sessions and soccer games to document the progress of the Bears. Follow along to see how students develop their writing and soccer skills, and how the team comes together. We will bring you individual poet-athletes' stories in addition to stories about the team as a whole. Follow along our journey with the Bears on Twitter @DCSCORESInterns & Instagram @DC_SCORES. 

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Written by Elaine Lu
Communications Intern

The excitement leading up to the Fall Frenzy was through the roof. Each student could not stop talking about what was going on. For the few programming sessions right before Fall Frenzy, kids worked harder than ever. At practice, they gave 110 percent to learning new skills. During poetry sessions, they were focused and on track. 

"My sister goes to Trinity University! She's going to volunteer and practice soccer with us!," said Alejandra F., looking forward to spending the Saturday event with her sister and showing her all that she's learned in DC SCORES. 

The day of Fall Frenzy, I had never seen the kids so happy. While I was working the event, kids would run up and hug me, screaming, "Coach Elaine! You're here! Are you going to watch us play?" They were so excited to show off all of their hard work. During their three games, team members cheered each other on at the top of their lungs.

At the booths, they got to express their own creativity. Each child came back with a "Messi" or "Ronaldo" painted across his or her forehead, channeling their favorite soccer star.

The kids especially enjoyed the D.C. United booths. The inflatable shooting goal drew the attention of every single player there. When actual DCU players showed up, the kids lost it. 

"When are we gonna get to meet them?! Can we take pictures? I want a selfie to put on Snapchat!!" were among phrases that I heard during the early afternoon mayhem. After meeting the professional players, Chris Korb and Charlie Horton, almost every single kid came back with at least one signed shoe, if not two. 

In the little bit of free time they had in between booths, kids loved rolling down the huge hills at Trinity University. Running through the crunchy leaves all over the grass to the top was one of the most entertaining things to do. 

As games and activities came to an end and the energy persistent for seven consecutive hours finally waned, the Barnard Bears walked toward their bus fully content. "That was awesome!," I heard so many kids shouting as they got on board. 

Fall Frenzy 2016 was definitely one for the books!

Now the focus turns to the Poetry Slam!. Stay tuned for more next week!