Numerous goals for those in need were scored during the Biggest Giver Soccer Tournament.
The idea for the recent fundraising event was developed by several Delta High School students who completed a writing assignment that focused on giving hope to the community.
Students Ulises Ortega, Brayan Cugua, Raul Ortega, Jesus Gonzales, Leonel Gracida, Salvador Rodriguez, and David Perez rose to the challenge in the classroom and on the field.
The group of soccer players organized a tournament with the Santa Maria YMCA where about eight soccer teams competed. Each team played in support of different causes.
The Dragon team raised several hundred dollars earmarked for less fortunate fellow youth in Santa Maria. The funds will be spent on YMCA scholarships and on students who need basic necessities.
Jesus Gonzales and Raul Ortega found the class project “engaging.”
“It was not only for us, but for the community to enjoy, while at the same time, raising money for people in need … by just playing soccer! We were inspired through the entire journey, and fully committed in a project built to help others,” Gonzalez and Ortega said in a press release.
Delta English teacher Shawn Tracht said he couldn’t be more proud of his students and more grateful to the Santa Maria Valley YMCA for picking up and hosting this event.
“Put kids in positive places and they will do positive things,” Tracht said. “Think, live, be positive, is the mantra that I live by as a teacher. My students were true leaders in our community through their selfless acts of kindness.”
When the games ended and the field cleared at the YMCA arena, there were no losers—just winners. The top team that raised the most money for others was the Juventes, a Santa Maria men’s team.
This article appears in Jun 9-16, 2016.