"You Rock!"

After a very successful recording session at Shock City Studios, our poet-athletes have created an original song with Dave Berg, inspired by their poems! Stay tuned for the full music video! Check out below for a thank you video our Jefferson Elementary poet-athletes have dedicated to Dave:

"I Can Be What I Wanna Be"

We thank Dave Berg for sharing his musical talents and our Jefferson poet-athletes for sharing their creative voice this week! See above for a video clip of Dave and the students making music together yesterday at Jefferson Elementary, and see below for a sneak peek at some of the original lyrics Dave wrote based on their poetry! Tonight, Dave will record their original song with our poet-athletes at Shock City Studios. Stay tuned for some inspired music!

I left Nashville in the eve driving all night long

Heading up to St. Louis to write a song

With some kids at a school but what I didn’t know

They may have been kids but they were also poets

Sayin’ things like…..

I can be what I wanna be

I can be what I wanna be

I am smart

I am funny

And I have dreams

I can be what I wanna be

(they’ll get no argument from me)

Celebrating Youth Poetry Through Music

SCORES youth from Jefferson Elementary will have the opportunity to put their poetry to music next week, recording original songs with famous country songwriter Dave Berg made possible by ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.)  The America SCORES ASCAP Songwriter Residency is a mentorship program that provides a platform for songwriters to engage and inspire elementary and middle school students in under-resourced neighborhoods. For a sneak peak, see the music video above created by our Walbridge poet-athletes.

America SCORES youth create and perform original poetry each year, improving literacy by engaging in a creative writing curriculum after school.  Dave Berg will help our poet-athletes integrate music into their creative writing, while giving their work a platform to be heard. He will lead songwriting classes with Jefferson Elementary poet-athletes, and the students will then record their original song with him at Shock City Studios . The finished song will be included on a special compilation CD that ASCAP produces and distributes to schools in the SCORES network as well as to members of the music industry.

Dave says, "I'm really looking forward to the ASCAP @ America SCORES program in St. Louis. I feel honored to be a part of it. Music is such a powerful thing and I truly believe it can be a life changer. It was for me….. this program gives [kids] a voice that can provide a spark for their spirit that will inspire far beyond the music itself." You can read more about Dave and our upcoming songwriter residency on the Music Industry News Network.

Jumping Jacks World Record, and upcoming Songwriter Residency

Our SCORES youth at Barack Obama Elementary had a great time helping the First Lady set the Guinness World Record for the most jumping jacks in a 24 hour period, as part of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initative.  U.S. National Player Becky Sauerbrunn returned from a recent trip to the White House to lead our SCORES youth in the record attempt last week, along with thousands of children across the nation. Our record attempt was featured on the front page of the St. Louis American, and on STL Today's STLClubSoccer.com. 

We are also pleased to announce our Jefferson Elementary SCORES team will put their poetry to music with famed singer/songwriter Dave Berg next week, made possible by American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.  Read more about Dave's upcoming songwriter residency with our youth on ASCAP's website!

Our Fall Frenzy in the News, and a visit from U.S. Women's National Player!

We had a fantastic time celebrating soccer and healthy lifestyles at our season kickoff event, Fall Frenzy!  Click here for our full photo album of the event.  Our youth learned soccer drills from the SLU women's club soccer team, practiced Thai Chi, yoga, and Zumba with professional instructors, and engaged in interactive nutition games with Operation Food Search and Whole Foods.  All cheered on the SLU vs. WashU club soccer game at the new Medical Center Stadium, and SLU Campus Recreation volunteers did face painting and helped with all activities!

Our SCORES youth were featured in STL Today and in SLU News after the event. We thank all of our partners for helping us start our fall season off on the right foot!  Stay tuned for photos from U.S. Women's National Player Becky Sauerbrunn's appearance at Barack Obama Elementary and our game day this week  to talk about her World Cup experience, leading soccer clinics with the First Lady at the White House, and injury prevention!  Read more about Becky on STLClubSoccer.com!