The Righetti High School football team had a busy week last week, preparing for its game against the Knights and performing some vital community outreach.
According to a press release from the Santa Maria Joint Union district office, 30 players from Righetti spent time with the students of Ralph Dunlap Elementary School. Kelley DeBernardi, director of student activities for Righetti, said the players worked with students to promote participation in recess activities, physical fitness, study habits, self-discipline, and responsibility.
“It’s great to have the community see our team in a different light,” said senior Jacob Fowler, Warrior team captain and defensive tight end. “The Warrior way is to the right thing even if nobody notices.”
Coach Ed Hermann—who participated in his fair share of community outreach as a player in Philadelphia—said reaching out is what being a student athlete is all about.
“It teaches them the value of community service and shows everybody they are role models—not just on Friday nights,” Hermann said.
This article appears in Oct 10-17, 2013.