Celebrating the Dedication of Our Staff

At the recent America SCORES national conference in Milwaukee, the national staff took time to honor the members of the America SCORES community who have dedicated 5 years or more to helping young people write, play and achieve. The leadership of the staff members listed below is immeasurable- America SCORES would absolutely not be where it is today without their numerous contributions. On behalf of the whole network, we thank them for their dedication!

As we thought about the extraordinary contributions of these eleven staff members, we asked our America SCORES colleagues and staff across the country to describe each honoree in five words.

Colin S.:
Thoughtful
Inspiring
Flexible
Visionary
Creative Problem-solver.




Victoria M.:
Outspoken
Direct
Laughter
Strong
Committed.


Emily Q.:
Can-do
Passionate
Capable
Feisty
Determined.

Roberto G.:
Encouraging
Supportive
Committed
Joyful
Enthusiastic.

Kate C.:
Practical
Dedicated
Accommodating
Capable
Empowering.


David J.:
Dynamic
Helpful
Articulate
Authentic
Kind.


Brandon B.:
Committed
Dedicated
Sincere
Genuine
Helpful.




Lyndsey V.:
Organized
Thoughtful
Supportive
Consensus-builder
Intelligent.




Heather W.:
Determined
Team-player
Positive
Creative
Smart.



Ceasar G.:
Smile
Committed
Dedicated
Helpful
Cuddly.



Serena M.:
Conviction
Poised
Thoughtful
Determined
Brilliant.

America SCORES receives largest ever grant from Bestfoods Educational Foundation

America SCORES has been awarded the largest ever gift in our history, a $1.3 million grant from the Bestfoods Educational Foundation. The Bestfoods Educational Foundation, overseen by former Bestfoods executives, has provided gifts to non-profit educational causes for 10 years. America SCORES has had a long partnership with the Bestfoods Educational Foundation and we are so grateful that they have decided to award this grant to our organization.

America SCORES will use the gift to dramatically improve the delivery of our innovative after-school programs that combine soccer, poetry, and service learning to fight obesity, improve literacy, and increase motivation among youth in 200 public schools in 14 cities. Enhanced communication and operations among the national and affiliate offices will allow us to provide more and better opportunities to empower children across the country to succeed in school and live healthy lives.

From Norma Barquet, our CEO: “This gift will enable America SCORES to reach new heights in its mission to inspire urban youth through creativity and teamwork.We are extremely grateful to the Board at the Bestfoods Educational Foundation for its generosity and belief in our organization to provide educational opportunities to deserving children. America SCORES is honored and privileged to be the recipient of such an extraordinary gift.”

For the full press release, please follow this link:

http://pitch.pe/47906

On behalf of our poet-athletes coast-to-coast, the America SCORES team says Thank You to the Bestfoods Educational Foundation.

Poem of the week!

Myself

I love myself
and everything about
myself, my hair is black and red upon my head;
Style hot as fire,
fashion cool as ice
eyes, clothes, cute shoes.
My reality
and also loving the personality.
I think of myself as if
I'm filled with inspiration.
I have plenty of aspirations:
for example,
reach college,
continue playing soccer,
caring for my family,
and watching TV.
So as you see
being me
is not easy.
Loving me and everything about me.

Rosalie T., age 12.

(Photo courtesy of Christopher Auger-Dominguez)

Poem of the week!

Life

Life is a process,
a process that has an end.
It can end at any hour,
any minute,
any second.
So, enjoy life while you have it.
Not many people can do that.
Don't stay stuck at home.
Go places!
Please, open your eyes
to a reality beyond your street.
Challenge yourself!
Because the real world isn't about chance.
It's your life.
Take my advice.
I may be small but don't let your life end for nothing.
Do something to bring joy and happiness.
Because that is success,
and in the future that's my reality.
What will yours be?

Carla M., age 11

The poet-athletes of America SCORES!

 

Introducing: Our New CEO, Norma Barquet

The America SCORES Board of Directors and National Staff are pleased to announce the appointment of Norma Barquet as our Chief Executive Officer.

Barquet comes to America SCORES with a demonstrated commitment to children and families, especially those from underserved communities. She held the position of Executive Vice President at Girl Scouts of the USA and served on its National Board. In her role at Girl Scouts of the USA, Barquet developed the organization’s Mission to Market division focused on delivering high quality programs and services to its affiliates.

Previously, she oversaw the operation of 26 schools as Executive Director with Detroit Public Schools and was Associate Director of Programs for Educational Opportunity at the University of Michigan – a regional equity center serving school districts in the six Great Lake states.

“Norma is a transformational leader,” said Fred Popp, Chairman of America SCORES’ Board of Directors. “Her experience and the clear passion she brings to the mission of America SCORES provides the foundation to increase the reach and impact of our programs, stirring the imagination and call-to-service within America’s urban youth.”

“During tough economic times, the first programs to be cut in urban school districts are sports and the arts. America SCORES is filling that gap by providing high quality after-school programs such as soccer, creative writing and service learning to urban children,” stated Barquet. “I know first-hand the impact of after-school programs such as those offered by America SCORES and am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this great organization and reach more children in more cities throughout the US.”

As she assumes her new leadership role, Barquet’s priorities are to improve the organization’s infrastructure, leverage emerging technology, develop national partnerships and increase funding.

America SCORES’ former CEO, Paul Caccamo will direct Up2Us, a national coalition of youth sports organizations that was cultivated and spun off from America SCORES.