National SLAM! media collection

At the National Office, we're busy collecting photos, videos, and press clippings from this year's National Poetry SLAM! Click here to see our collection of photos. VIDEOS: Click here and here to see videos from the SLAM! weekend. For press about the Poetry SLAM!, including an article in the Daily News and an interview on KFOG, click here.

2010 National Poetry SLAM! a success!

From Balloon Boys to blue-eyed crushes to character-defining acts of heroism, the 2010 America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! showcased just how brave and gifted our poet-athletes are. An audience of 300--made up of families, coaches, staff, and supporters--filled the New York Stock Exchange, making it a night the kids will never forget!

This year's National Poetry SLAM! was the most successful to date, raising $180,000, $55,000 more than last year and the most ever raised! All the funds from this year's SLAM! will go directly to supporting the America SCORES' mission of empowering children in cities all across America--on the soccer field, in the classroom, and in the community. In addition, we had the most parents, coaches, and families ever fly to New York, attend the event, and see their kids in action, which made for a room full of very proud spectators!

A full re-cap of the 2010 National Poetry SLAM! is coming soon. New photos, videos, and press clippings are coming in every day. Until then, we'll leave you with the current highlights.

Thank you for everything you have done to make an opportunity like this possible for our poet-athletes across the country!

Our Poet-Athletes Prepare for the National Poetry SLAM!

Our Poet-Athletes Prepare for the National Poetry SLAM! After Community Poetry SLAMs! across the country, two poet-athletes from each city have been chosen to come to New York City to perform at the National Poetry SLAM! For many of our participants, this will be their first trip to New York, and for some, their first time on an airplane. On April 17th, all of the National Poetry SLAM! participants, parents and chaperones will arrive in New York City for this once-in-a-lifetime weekend. They will have the opportunity to explore the city and to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange before they get ready for the main event: performing their original poems onstage at the National Poetry SLAM! This year, we are proud to honor Sunil Gulati, President of the US Soccer Federation and a true pioneer in bringing soccer to the United States. Among our special guests we welcome MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Dave Checketts, founder of Sports Capital Partners Worldwide and owner of Real Salt Lake and the St. Louis Blues. We hope you can join us for this inspiring evening!

VIDEO: During last year's National Poetry SLAM! weekend, we asked our poet-athletes and their coaches this question:"What is Poetry?"

Spread the Word! Please help America SCORES spread the word about the amazing work of our poet-athletes. How to help: 1. Send an email about the National Poetry SLAM! to three friends. 2. Use the "retweet" button to share on twitter, or share on facebook and other social networking sites.

Support the National Poetry SLAM! Click here to purchase a ticket or to support this year's National Poetry SLAM!

Affiliate News Digest

Bay Area: Bay Area is listed as a participating charity in the San Francisco Marathon! See their profile here.

Chicago: The inaugural winter season of Junior SCORES is finishing up with a game day. Starting this year with K-2 programs in two schools, the program has been very successful. Photos coming soon!

Cleveland: Cleveland's Spring SCORES Cup is coming up on March 13, where teams from 9 businesses and law firms will compete under the dome at Cleveland State University's Krenzler Field. An exciting addition to this day of soccer, Cleveland's two winning poets will perform their poems for the teams.

DC: DC recently completed a comprehensive outcomes evaluation, which shows the impact of the program on students' school engagement and physical fitness. The report was compiled after DC partnered with Symphonic Strategies, an independent consulting firm, last spring to assess the program's effectiveness over a 12-week period. The full evaluation as well as the press release can be found under the Resource Center portion of DC's website.

Denver:
As Denver prepares for its April 29th Inspired Art event, they have been keeping the blog updated with artist bios, interviews, and previews of the art. Enrollment for artists closes March 15th, and it looks like its going to be an exciting event! Tickets on sale here.

New England:
New England introduces 2 new programs, the SCORES Mentorship Program and the SCORES Alumni Program. The mentorship program provides poet-athletes with a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a college student or professional in the Boston Community. The alumni program facilitates meetings between 28 SCORES alumni that are now in high school. They meet to talk about their futures, go on college tours, and receive college counseling and other advice. More details on their blog.

New York:
New York welcomes Arway Boker, their new Coach Across America member. During her first week, Arway helped lead a very successful winter camp. The New York team trained their soccer coaches last week and will train service-learning coaches today. The entire New York team is looking forward to a great spring season!

Seattle:
This summer, the Seattle Sounders FC is hosting a SCORES Cup for Pacific Northwest corporations to raise money for Seattle. The three-part event gives corporate employees a taste of the professional soccer life, and includes a party with the Sounders, qualifiers, and the championship match on Xbox Pitch @ Qwest Field. Click here for more information.

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.