Faces of Summer SCORES: Chris C., a leader on the field

Written by Lorena Palacios

Communications Intern

@DCSCORESInterns

(View our 2017 Summer Camp photo album)

In a soccer field filled with elementary and middle school kids, one stood out in particular. It wasn't just his small size or his impressive touch on the ball that grabbed attention, it was his friendly smile. 

First time camper Chris C., seemed right at home during the two-week soccer camp at Tubman Elementary School. By the second day of camp he made friends with pretty much every camper, coach, and volunteer on the field. 

It was just a matter of time before Chris picked up a nickname from his fellow campers. 

Whenever Chris was on the field you could hear his teammates yelling out "Dybala! Dybala!" This nickname came to life after noticing the similarities between Chris and his favorite soccer player, Paulo Dybala.

It wasn't surprising to see the 9 year-old practicing with the middle school boys by the third day of camp. Despite the difference in heights, Chris' skill level fit right in with the older boys.

The ease Chris has to make friends is thanks to his participation in DC SCORES at Bancroft Elementary School, which is like a second family to him. Every time someone mentions Bancroft, he speaks so fondly of all the school staff, his coach, and his teammates. 

It's hard not to gravitate toward a kid that is so willing to learn and help out his fellow teammates. Chris wasn't one to hesitate to pass the ball to his friends on the field. He always had a cool head during games and was a trusted player by all. 

A true leader on the field. 

That's how Keith Tucker, former Howard University and Bermuda National team head coach, describes Chris. "He's the kind of guy you want on your team. The kind that brings the best out of his teammates," said Tucker. 

This was Chris' first time at a DC SCORES summer camp, but it definitely won't be his last thanks to all the fun memories he made with his new friends and coaches. 

Coming together as a team at Tubman soccer camp

DC SCORES hosted a two-week long soccer camp at Tubman Elementary School. Rising third to ninth grade students participated in this free summer camp from June 26 - July 7.

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Written by Lorena Palacios
Communications Intern

(View our 2017 Summer Camp photo album)

Over the course of two weeks, kids from all over Washington D.C. got together at Tubman Elementary School for one of three DC SCORES summer camps.

The Tubman Toads' soccer field hosted new campers and coaches, as well as returning participants that love being a part of summer SCORES. During four hours every day, kids had the opportunity to meet new people, practice and improve their soccer skills, and most importantly, have fun.

Throughout the first week of camp, the drills focused on ball control and the skill quality improved every day. It was incredible to see how the kids grew more and more comfortable during games and with their teammates during camp. The level of play within every level increased thanks to the support of the camp coaches.

As much as the campers enjoyed the drills, there was no denying the huge smiles on their faces when they played scrimmages with each other.

From the middle school kids with the most experience to the rising third graders that have never touched a ball before, the amount of support shown throughout the two weeks was incredible to witness. As the team bonds grew stronger, the last couple days of camp had a sense of nostalgia. For many kids in the city, this soccer camp was the highlight of their summer, and it was soon coming to an end.

Following tradition, the last day of camp consisted of a BBQ for the whole community where campers, coaches, staff, and families had the opportunity to come together to celebrate another successful camp.

The campers hosted special guests from the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment as they talked to DC SCORES Executive Director, Bethany Henderson, and some of the kids and coaches.

Of course, we also have to recognize the awesome camp sponsors District Sports, Target, and the Office of Latino Affairs, that help make camps like these a reality for D.C. kids.

For the campers, their efforts of working together as a team were tested during the most important game of the summer, the coaches vs. campers game!

No team of campers has ever won a game against the coaches, EVER, and this time was no different. Even though the coaches continue their reign as summer camp champs, the kids came close in some instances which demonstrates the teamwork they built.

Thanks to this special opportunity that DC SCORES provides, kids that arrived as complete strangers, built teams and friendships that will go beyond their time on the field at Tubman.

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!

My first experience as a DC SCORES coach

Written by Javier A. Ponce Elizondo
DC SCORES intern

When I went to Barnard Elementary School with coach Hannah, it was my first time at Barnard and also my first time as a coach in DC SCORES. It was a great experience!

As Hanna started class, the kids were all really interested in what she was saying. She introduced me to all the kids, and they were very surprised to learn that I was Mexican like many of them. They immediately began asking me questions about soccer and soccer players and all that stuff. But then they pivoted, as we all worked together to understand the meaning of a poem presented to the group.

Barnard was still in the first phase of service-learning, which involves examining your school community and what needs to be improved. I was really impressed with how aware the Barnard Bears were of what was around them and the problems in their neighborhood.

There was only so much we could do in the classroom. After a lively question-and-answer session, we move outside to truly examine the school’s surroundings. We started with the cafeteria, then moved to the gym, then outside. The kids walked up and down the sidewalks, jotting observations in their notebooks. Was there trash strewn everywhere? Did certain areas need beautifying? The kids logged it all.

Upon returning to the classroom, the kids raised their hands to let Hannah know what they’d seen. But then we dug deeper. OK, there were issues. But how could they be addressed? How could we create change? As the service-learning session wrapped up, Hannah gave the Barnard poet-athletes a homework assignment — think about a social project and how you would enact it. Obviously the team’s service-learning project will take many more group sessions, but it was a really good start. It was a dynamic, deep and understanding class. I was happy to be a part of it!

DC SCORES podcast, Episode 12: Digital Media Intern Colin Patch

On his last day, Digital Media Intern Colin Patch chats about what he learned during his summer with DC SCORES including the impression the kids made on him; the power of a good video; and the importance of culture within a program.

Listen below on the embedded player or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to be the first to hear our latest content.

An internship to remember -- Kyndall reflects on a summer of communicating about DC SCORES

Written by Kyndall Brown
Communications Intern

I never went to DC SCORES Camp as a camper, but this summer I was able to spend several afternoons under the sun with participants as an intern. My weekly visits to the SCORES camps were the highlight of my internship.

The first camp I visited was Kelly Miller. Interviewing campers and taking pictures of them while they were at camp brought back a flood of memories for me. Watching them play and practice their drills reminded me of how happy I was to have been able to be a part of DC SCORES at Anne Beers Elementary School.

Sharing the stories of campers in the program now showed me how I can use the field of media to illustrate the impact of something that I loved. I had so much fun being at camp with the campers, I forgot that I was an intern and working!

Back in the air-conditioned DC SCORES office, I learned just as much. The knowledge I gained about social media and nonprofit marketing is irreplaceable, and -- entering my sophomore year at Temple University -- there was no better time for me to be exposed to it than this summer of 2014.

There was not a task I was given this summer that was easy. Every day I came into the office, I faced another challenge. The time I spent here was so vital to my growth because I was constantly being pushed to my limits and forced to expand my way of thinking.

As the summer ends, I feel that I grew tremendously because I was constantly brought outside my comfort zone. I sharpened my skills in writing, proof-reading, and public speaking -- and learned how to post varying social media content to different platforms.

In just my second week at SCORES, I spoke at the Campaign to End Obesity Breakfast with Champions 2014. Before this event, I hadn’t been tasked with a speaking engagement for a while. So, of course, preparing to address a room of almost 100 people was a bit of a challenge. I was more nervous than ever that early Thursday morning, but I was determined to do more than my very best.

As much as this internship taught me about the field of communications, it also taught me much about myself. These past two months showed me all that I am capable of and how much more I can accomplish when I push myself to do more.

My internship at DC SCORES was the first summer internship of my college career, and helped me develop a great foundation for my future ventures as student. I couldn’t have found a better place to spend my 2014 summer than here.

In less than a week I'll be back on the road to Philadelphia to begin my sophomore year at Temple. Everything that I experienced at DC SCORES this summer I will use in a fall semester that I know will be challenging.

I also know that I am ready.

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Interested in interning like Kyndall? We are searching for our next communications intern all-star for this fall. Apply HERE. 

Former program participant Kyndall Brown returns to intern for DC SCORES

Kyndall Brown was a DC SCORES program participant at Anne Beers for three years, where she learned how to play soccer under the tutelage of her coach and father, Michael Brown. She also became a star poet at Beers, performing her solo poems at the DC SCORES Poetry Slam!. Kyndall went on to play soccer at Bell Multicultural High School and now, as a rising sophomore at Temple University, is interning this summer in our communications department. Below, Kyndall writes about what brought her back to DC SCORES. Follow @DCSCORESInterns for Tweets from Kyndall during her internship experience. 

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Written by Kyndall Brown 
Communications Intern

I was introduced to DC SCORES when I was in the third grade at Anne Beers Elementary School. Being a part of DC SCORES was the highlight of my elementary school years at Beers. In the short three years between third and sixth grade, I gained and experienced so more than I could have imagined.

When I moved on to middle school, the school I chose unfortunately did not have a DC SCORES program. Leaving Beers was bittersweet because I was excited about growing up and going to a new school, but I knew that I would never be able to find another program like DC SCORES.

I never played soccer or any sport before DC SCORES. My participation in the program made soccer a big aspect of my life throughout high school. It also improved my confidence in my writing and is the reason that English is one of my strongest subjects in school.

In 2005, when I was in sixth grade, I performed my first solo poem at the annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam!. That experience and the preparation leading up to the Slam! helped me become comfortable with public speaking. In 2013, I used the same skills I developed during the Poetry Slam! to give a speech that helped me become the senior class president at my high school.

I will be able to use skills I learned in DC SCORES — including the most effective approach to teaching and outreach — for the rest of my life. Now, as an intern, I have the special opportunity to be a part of giving back to what was once given to me.

I am currently a Media and Communications major at Temple University and still exploring the major to decide exactly what I want to do with my degree. Coming back to DC SCORES to learn about the communications aspects of the organization is exactly how I want to spend my summer. It is great to be back in an atmosphere that I once was able to prosper in so much, and now I have a chance to grow even more.

During my time interning, I hope that my efforts continue to help the organization grow and have the same influence on other students that it had on me. Interning for any organization takes hard work and commitment. Interning for an organization with a mission you are passionate about makes both the hard work and commitment well worth it.

Inside the notebook at Imagine Hope Community Charter School, Part I: Enthusiasm to learn and express

Mr. Clemons instructs his DC SCORES students.

Each week throughout the fall DC SCORES season, I will be accompanying the students of the Tolson campus of Imagine Hope Charter on their journey through DC SCORES' Power of Poetry curriculum. This will include weekly content posted on Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, and this blog. Follow these talented kids as they learn to express themselves through one of the purest forms of art. You can stay in touch with me by following me on Twitter at @DCSCORESInterns and @DCSCORES. Enjoy!

-- Brady Smithsund, Fall 2013 Intern

As I approached the nondescript building of Imagine Hope Community Charter School -- Tolson Campus for the first time, I had no idea what I would face. I walked in the front door and upon receiving directions, climbed stairs to a classroom on the second floor. Before I even got close to the room, I could hear the collective chant of a group of elementary school kids.

“If I work hard enough, I can do anything!” screamed the kids. A couple boys in the back dropped beats on the table, banging their hands like they were kick drums, snares and hi-hats. The chant repeated again and again, getting louder each time.

From the moment I walked in the door and witnessed this, I could feel the energy radiating from these kids. Even after a long day at school, they were stoked to still be in a classroom, learning poetry until late in the afternoon.

Never before had I seen kids who were so excited to learn material that was completely voluntary.

Creating an acrostic poem!

The teacher, Jerome Clemons (@MisterClemons on Twitter), started class by reading a poem from the DC SCORES curriculum entitled "9 Gold Medals" by a poet none of the kids had ever heard of. This poem touched on issues of sportsmanship, acceptance and compassion, all values that DC SCORES prides itself on instilling in youth. Each student had a different guess at what the poem was about, but in the end they were all on the same page.

Wondering who I was, the kids asked me a couple questions but then quickly accepted me into their community. Now one of them, I watched as the students wrote their first ever acrostic poems, using the word SCORES as the template. They then voted to decide which words they wanted to use from their brainstormed list. Using words like success, creative, outstanding, and respect, the poem was formed. The kids stood back to admire their hard work.

The hour gone, it was time for the kids to go home. High-fiving Mr. Clemons and me, they ran out of the room with big smiles on their faces, excited about what they just learned.

One stopped and asked me, “Will you be here next week?”

Yes, yes I will.