Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part VIII: Wrapping up for Jamboree!

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on Twitter and Instagram. Check out Parts I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII of the mini series.

Written by Lorena Palacios
Communications Intern

In the final edition of our series with the Tigers, I got the chance to hear from the kids and coaches how successful Fight 4 Fitness was in their community, as well as hang out with them at Jamboree!.

During soccer practice and service-learning, there seemed to be a certain level of excitement in the air knowing that Jamboree! was only a few days away. The time the Tigers spent outside playing soccer was very free-flowing and lively, truly just playing for the love of the game. As the school year comes to an end soon, one of the second grade classes came out to practice to see what was in store for them next year as third graders when they become a part of DC SCORES.

Going into service-learning time, I was so excited to find out how their Fight 4 Fitness campaign went and check out the poster they were working on that showcased their project.

It is obvious how much these kids love to put their creative skills to use! The poster was super colorful with drawings the Tigers made of their favorite fruits and vegetables, pictures of them going out to grocery stores, and talking to their peers about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Their next task was to create captions for their pictures to explain what happening during that captured moment, but Coach Lee added the challenge of writing the caption in five words or fewer. It can be hard to write so little about something you love so much, but the Amidon-Bowen students crushed the challenge like always.

Everything was ready for the big day... JAMBOREE!

When I met up with the Tigers during the spring season celebration, their levels of excitement and happiness were through the roof! They were so thrilled to share their service-learning project, as well as see what the other DC SCORES teams worked on during the season.


It was such a great sight to see everyone enjoy such a truly special day. Coach Carlos, Coach Lee, and Coach Pecot looked so proud watching their team compete with other schools on the field. There was so much support from the kids as they cheered on their teammates during the games.

I will always be super grateful for the opportunity I had to work with all of the kids and the coaches that were always a pleasure to work with. My days were better whenever I had the chance to hang out at Amidon-Bowen.

There honestly could not have been a better way to wrap up spring SCORES with the Tigers. Their hard work on and off the field paid off in amazing ways by creating change in their community. Fight 4 Fitness was more than just an awareness campaign, it was the first step toward a healthier lifestyle for the rest of their lives.

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part VII: Putting plans in motion

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Written by Lorena Palacios
Communications Intern

The poet-athletes of Amidon-Bowen were so awesome with me on my first day as an intern, so I was very excited to go back and check out the progress of their Fight 4 Fitness campaign.

As always, the Tigers started with some soccer practice in preparation for their next game day. A scrimmage between the boys and girls got their enthusiasm going and the penalty shooting drills got their minds in the right place to start working on their service-learning project.

Once practice was over, everyone split up into their committees and went right to work. This session was all about putting their plans into motion and getting ready to execute them by showcasing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The coaches and staff were a great resource for the kids to get organized on all the tasks they set out to complete. Mr. Keck was assisting the Marketing committee in putting up posters in the school hallways, available in English and Spanish, that highlighted healthy food proportions. Coach Pecot worked alongside the Information Desk committee to gather all the supplies they were going to handout to the student body, including water bottles, pencils, and flyers with healthy living tips. In the school cafeteria, Coach Lee assisted the Media committee in practicing their morning announcements, which included poems written by the kids.

Earlier in the week, the Tigers had worked on a PowerPoint presentation and gathered pictures showcasing specific foods and recipes the Amidon-Bowen students can start incorporating at home.

With the school year wrapping up soon, the Tigers hope to make an impact within their community by really emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle by talking one-on-one with their classmates about how easy it can be to adjust our habits.

It's obvious how much this service-project has changed the kids' view on being healthy. They're all so excited about their plans and are constantly discussing their favorite fruits and vegetables (strawberries and cabbage are the top picks for each).

I can't wait to go back and hear about the success and impact their Fight 4 Fitness campaign has been among their community!

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part VI: Timelines & Tasks

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Written by Lorena Palacios
Communications Intern

During my very first day as an intern at DC SCORES, I had the privilege of hanging out with the kids of Amidon-Bowen and learning about their service-project, Fight 4 Fitness.

Even though it was a bit windy outside, it was overall a great day to start off with some soccer. Coach Lee and Coach Carlos had the Tigers practicing their passes and getting used to using both of their feet. The poet-athletes then went on to have some 1v1 drills to get them warmed up for their scrimmage. These kids are seriously so skilled with the ball. During the game, one of the goalies scored from their side of the field!

After such an exciting game, everyone was in a great mood to start setting a timeline and specific tasks that are going into Fight 4 Fitness.

The Media, Marketing, and Information Desk committees each started brainstorming specific goals each group is going to put into place to accomplish their overall objectives for their project. Their four main goals are: to raise awareness about their program within their school community, inform the students about the importance of healthy eating and drinking plenty of water, remind everyone to exercise daily, and teach families how to incorporate these habits into their lives at home.


Last week, the Marketing committee put up posters in the school's hallways about healthy eating portion sizes. The Information Desk is going to share quick and easy recipes, like strawberry balsamic and spinach salad. Finally, the Media committee was gathering research about healthy facts to include in the morning announcements starting the very next day.

Did you know that the healthiest food item in the world is a lemon? I didn't know until the kids in the Media committee found that out in their research!

As always, Mr. Keck, Coach Lee, Coach Carlos, and Coach Pecot were very helpful in assisting the committees during their brainstorming and planning process.

It was such a great experience being able to spend my afternoon at Amidon-Bowen. All the coaches and kids were super welcoming and made my first day better than I could have ever imagined. I'm looking forward to going back and continue sharing their progress and results for their Fight 4 Fitness service-project.

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part V: Creating committees & goodbye

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Written by Dahlia Chaudhury
Communications Intern

Though I was sad to be spending my last day with the Tigers, the weather outside was beautiful and perfect for soccer. 

The Amidon coaches began practice with passing drills, trying to teach the poet-athletes to move after they pass. After working on that for a while, the Tigers transitioned into a scrimmage of girls vs. boys. Afterward, all the players were in high spirits heading into service-learning class.

Since my last visit, the Tigers had made significant strides in their service-learning project. They had decided on how exactly they wanted to implement their project, Fight 4 Fitness, and had created committees that would carry out each part. 

The committees were split into "Media," which would handle creating a powerpoint on healthy living to show to the student body, as well as crafting daily announcements to say over the intercom in the morning; "Marketing," the group that decides what posters they will be using and creating and where they will be hung around the school for maximized viewing; and "Information Desk," a table that will be set up during after-school hours that will give health and wellness information to students in all grades as well as parents coming to pick up their child.

The students chose what committee they wanted to be on, splitting almost perfectly into three even teams without help needed from the coaches, and got straight to work. The marketing committee, assisted by Coach Carlos, started going through all the posters they already had and designing new ones they wanted to display. The media committee chose a group leader, and then designated themselves into smaller groups to work on the powerpoint and announcements. Finally, the information desk committee gathered all the resources they had, began sorting them, and then deciding what to use. 

The session was very productive, and I know Amidon-Bowen is going to have a very successful service-learning project presentation at Jamboree! June 3. 

In the past five weeks, I have seen growing student involvement and excitement about their project, as well as more commitment to their team and students working together to get good results at their games. I had an awesome time getting to know the Amidon students and coaches; everyone at the school was so welcoming. They made my last weeks working at DC SCORES memorable and fun, and I can't wait to go back and visit!

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part IV: Pledging against gun violence

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Written by Dahlia Chaudhury
Communications Intern

Last week the Amidon-Bowen Tigers were in high spirits for programming Monday.

As usual, the poet-athletes began outside for soccer practice. Coach Lee started the practice with dribbling and footwork exercises, in the hopes of helping the students gain confidence on the field. Next, they did some 1 v 1 drills and then finished practice with a little scrimmaging. Several kids got the opportunity to try playing goalie.

Then it was service-learning time! As part of their project Fight 4 Fitness, students focused last week on either a poem, story, or play about how they have been affected by gun violence and how detrimental guns are to living in a healthy, happy community.

When coach Pecot gathered everyone together, their writing complete, the students shared with each other about how they had heard guns, seen guns, and had family members affected by guns.

Finally, the whole class, teachers included, recited a pledge against gun violence:

The Pledge

I will never bring a gun to school;

I will never use a gun to settle a personal problem or dispute;

I will use my influence with my friends to keep them from using guns to settle disputes.

My individual choices and actions, when multiplied by those of young people throughout my city, will make a difference.

Together, by honoring this pledge, we can reverse the violence and grow up in safety.

After reciting, the students all signed their pledges as a measure of accountability, and returned them to Coach Pecot. The lesson was an important one that the students will highlight in their posters for their fitness expo to wrap up their service-learning project.

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part III: Rainy days and surveys

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Written by Dahlia Chaudhury
Communications Intern

It was a dreary Monday, and there had been little stopping the drizzle all day. The Amidon-Bowen Tigers did not let that keep them from learning, though.

Instead of having practice outside, the Tigers all filed in to Coach Lee's classroom for an indoor soccer lesson. Coach Lee and Coach Carlos talked to the poet-athletes about their work and effort in practice, and how that can affect the outcome of games. Afterward, students reviewed positions and roles on the field.

Next, Coach Lee stepped up the indoor practice by taking the students upstairs to run laps with the track team. After 6-8 laps, the students were red-faced, breathing heavily and ready to begin service-learning.

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Once settled with Coach Pecot, the service-learning lesson began; they were covering the process of creating and using surveys. First, Coach Pecot wrote a survey about smoking on the board for the students to complete. After practicing answering questions, the students brainstormed, in small groups, questions that they could ask their school community regarding their health habits.

The coaches encouraged the students to think outside of yes or no questions. Some students created questions that had answers from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Others thought free response questions could give them more information on the respondent.

One student, Ryan J., told me he wanted to ask, "Do you like junk food? Do you want to stay healthy? When you eat do you have all 5 food groups on your plate?" He thought that people would be more likely to take the survey and finish it if the questions had yes or no answers.

By the end of the session, the students had made great progress in determining the best way to gauge community members' attitudes about healthy living and how they can encourage fitness for all. Fight 4 Fitness is well on its way to being a very successful service-learning project!

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part II: Planning the project

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on all DC SCORES social media, and see game day updates by searching the hashtag #DCSGameDay

Written by Dahlia Chaudhury
Communications Intern

Amidon-Bowen is charging straight into a tough service-learning project this season. Entitled Fight 4 Fitness, the project supports healthy living.

The Tigers actively completed the 'preparation and decision making' workshops that are imperative to a successful service learning project. During their workshops they learned the ground rules to and reasons for service-learning, as well as identified what issue they wanted to tackle for a project.

Choosing their school community as a home base, Amidon poet-athletes decided that they wanted to try and live healthier lifestyles, and help others achieve this goal as well. 

Daniel, a 4th grader, said "We're going to be talking to our classmates, peers, and teachers." 

When I visited Amidon, they were just beginning the 'research and planning' phase of service-learning. The students were brainstorming ideas for how they could get the word out about the project. Some ideas were posters, intercom announcements, and assemblies. As for their own lifestyles, the students created four goals that they all wanted to achieve during the season. 

Makayla told me all about them. "Our first goal is to drink more water, our second goal is to eat more healthy foods, our third goal is to work out more...and our fourth goal is to eat foods that will kind of help our brains and make us smarter," she said. The Tigers have not yet created a plan to keep themselves accountable for this mission. 

The Tigers are doing an awesome job so far, and I can't wait to see what direction they head in next week!

Spring SCORES with the Tigers, Part I: An introduction to Amidon-Bowen

This spring, we are following Amidon-Bowen's season highlighting their service-learning project, but also attending games and soccer practices. The Tigers are located in Southwest D.C. in Ward 6. You can follow along on all DC SCORES social media, and see game day updates by searching the hashtag #DCSGameDay



Written by Dahlia Chaudhury
Communications Intern

Though they are a brand-new program, Amidon-Bowen Elementary School has thrived using the DC SCORES model their first year combining soccer, poetry, and service-learning.

This season is Amidon's second spring implementing the program. The Tigers became a DC SCORES school in October 2015 when D.C. United's United Soccer Club program merged with DC SCORES. The partnership melded DC SCORES’ robust curriculum and proven success with D.C. United’s name recognition and soccer resources. Because of Amidon-Bowen's close proximity to D.C. United's home in Southwest (especially to United's new stadium coming in 2018), the school and its soccer team are especially important to the club and are often chosen for fun opportunities, such as tickets to games and training from players.



There are three coaches at Amidon: Carlos Granados, soccer; Kenisha Pecot, writing; and LeeVon Floyd, soccer and writing. Amdion has soccer followed by poetry/service-learning programming on the same days, and all three coaches are very involved in both aspects and build off each other's lessons. From just my first day at the school, it was obvious that the coaches are admired by the students, and it was noticeable that all three commanded a great amount of respect, no small accomplishment after a long school day. The Amidon poet-athletes were all happy to be at practice, and there were no complaints when the session transitioned from soccer to service learning.

"Poetry allows me to interact with students that I do not have the opportunity to see and also bond and build relationships," said coach Pecot.

Coach Carlos commented to me that in just the past two years, "Some of the kids have improved academically, so when it comes to reading out loud or writing, they have (really) improved. They don't have stage fright anymore, and it just comes more naturally for them."

Amidon-Bowen has adapted extremely well to the full DC SCORES curriculum, and has quickly become a part of the school and greater community. Now, the Tigers are ready to make a difference in their school community.

Stay tuned as we document their service-learning project this spring.