America SCORES and American Graduate



Click here to watch the PSA!

America SCORES St. Louis and the Nine Network of Public Media have joined forces to promote graduation nationwide!  Ten students created and recorded original poetry at the Nine Network studios to promote American Graduate: Let's Make It Happen, a bold national media initiative focused on improving high school graduation rates. Check out some fantastic Poetry PSAs below, currently featured on Nine Network platforms:

DeMontre: http://youtu.be/UzWv_JBsRd8
Carjanae: http://youtu.be/I3zJeCZtEGo  
Jerell: http://youtu.be/w3yFMDbG6m0  

More to come! To learn more about American Graduate, click here!

Poetry SLAM 2011 Highlight Performance

Got 60 Seconds? Watch Eric B. of Jefferson Elementary perform his original poem, "Statistic", and get inspired! Poet-athletes from 7 public elementary schools stood in front of a live audience last night to recite original works of poetry at our 7th Annual 2011 Poetry SLAM.  Awards were given for group and individual performances, judged by a panel including representatives from Opera Theatre, local businesses, and the St. Louis Rams. Congratulations to our eloquent young poet-athletes! Stay tuned for more highlight videos...

*Financial assistance for the 2011 Poetry SLAM was provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Poet-Athletes Promote Their Poetry SLAM!

At our 7th annual Poetry SLAM, America SCORES St. Louis youth from seven urban elementary schools will take to the stage to perform original poems they’ve created, to celebrate the completion of a successful fall season of creative writing! Watch the Poetry SLAM PSAs our youth created above (Top-Normandy Students; Bottom-St. Louis Public School Students), and join us on November 17th! 

 WHO: 3rd-5th grade youth poets from seven urban public elementary schools, over 250 spectators, and a panel of judges including local educators, community leaders, and artists.

WHAT: Students will perform original works of poetry onstage for families, community members, and other supporters. Entertainment and activities will be provided for all spectators, and prizes will be awarded for group and individual performances. The event will feature youth poets from Jefferson Elementary, Barack Obama Elementary, and Washington Elementary of the Normandy School District, and Nance Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, and Walbridge Elementary of the St. Louis Public School District.
  

WHERE: Metro High School, 4015 McPherson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

WHEN: Thursday, November 17th, 2011,  5:30pm-7:30pm

 WHY: The Poetry SLAM is the culminating event for the America SCORES St. Louis fall season. Reciting poetry onstage is an opportunity to publicly celebrate the accomplishments of SCORES youth, while enhancing their confidence and public speaking skills.

Come watch our young poets shine!

*Financial assistance for the 2011 Poetry SLAM has been provided by Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Making Music with Dave Berg- ASCAP Songwriter Residency

Watch a musical masterpiece in progress!  The Jefferson Elementary poet-athletes shared their inspiration and their voices while recording with Dave Berg at Shock City Studios last week. See above for a highlight video featuring selections from "I Can Be What I Wanna Be".  Check out the feature article on STL Today's Club Soccer site. We thank ASCAP for another phenomenal experience, and Dave Berg for giving of his time and his talent! "I had an amazing time writing and recording a song with the kids. The unabashed spirit and joy in their voices flew right off of the speakers and reminded me of what music is all about. It's food for the soul, and right now mine feels like it's Thanksgiving and it just had seconds." - Dave Berg

"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!

Fall Frenzy this Friday!

Our annual Fall Frenzy unites over 200 SCORES youth to celebrate soccer, health and wellness with the community. This year, on Friday, September 30th from 4pm-7:30pm, the Fall Frenzy will be the first event hosted at the new Saint Louis University Medical Center Stadium at Compton off Chouteau.

Soccer drills from the SLU womens' club soccer team, yoga, crafts, face painting, music, and health and wellness activities are available to all. We welcome you to join us Friday as we kick off our SCORES season!

We set a Guinness World Record to support SCORES youth!

On September 10, 2011, soccer players from the St. Louis metro area came together at Saint Louis University to kick off the St. Louis soccer season at the 1st annual Great St. Louis Soccer Dribble. The Honorable Mayor Francis G. Slay served as Honorary Chairman for this inaugural event, and Bill McDermott served as MC.

"Soccer is an institution that spans generations here in St. Louis," said Pete Spanos, America SCORES St. Louis board member and owner of Vetta Sports complexes. "We saw the need for an event to pull together soccer players and teams from around the area to kick off the season. And we decided to add some fun and excitement to it while we were at it."

Photos courtesy of Steve Ley

All proceeds raised at the event benefited America SCORES St. Louis, a non-profit youth development program that brings soccer, poetry, and service learning to urban youth.

Honorary Chairman Mayor Francis Slay says: "America SCORES St. Louis provides a strong model for youth development. Through the unique combination of soccer, poetry, and community service, they are providing opportunities for poet-athletes to be successful throughout their lives as students, citizens, and leaders."

"We were thrilled to host America SCORES St. Louis as it continues its mission of engaging and educating St. Louis area youth," Saint Louis director of athletics Chris May said.

For more information, visit: www.greatstlsoccerdribble.kintera.org

National Poetry SLAM! 2011

Two of our very own poet-athletes, Marcus J. of Jefferson Elementary (pictured with Apollo's famous lucky wood) and Joschula P. of Patrick Henry Downtown Academy (pictured with Michael Jackson's nameplate), performed their original poetry along with other SCORES poet-athletes from across the nation at the Apollo Theater in New York on Monday evening! Video of their great poetry performances, including back-up dancing with Martha Reeves, is coming soon. Please take a moment to read the original poems they performed:

New York, The Empire State

(By Joschula P, Grade 6, Patrick Henry Downtown Academy)

I think everyone has a dream, a wish, a goal, a desire.

It might be to meet a celebrity

Or to do something great that everyone will remember them for.

Then some people are adventurous, bold, daring, a risk-taker. That’s like me.

I want to be free, free to have fun, free to explore, free to go to new places.

A new place far from St. Louis, a place with that feeling that make your insides

Tingle with excitement whenever you even think about it.

New York, The Empire State!

Now there’s a place that’s full of excitement.

So much to hear, see, taste, smell and feel.

I heard that great people like Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy,

And even Sammy Davis, Jr. were born there.

I see the Statue of Liberty, the Mets, and the famous Empire State Building.

I taste New York style pizza with bubbling cheese on top of thin fresh baked crusts.

I smell hot dogs from hot dog stands, the aroma begging me to come take a bite.

And last, but not least, I feel my hand on a sheet of paper, reading a poem called,

“New York, The Empire State!”

Spectacular Me

(By Marcus J, Grade 6, Jefferson Elementary)

I am popular, I am smart.

I am serious, but I like art

I am the king of the jungle and I am a bundle

Of hot fries…and I never cry.

I am cool, but I will stay in school.

I am an athlete and I do have big feet.

I am a star because I shine bright. I am a kite

And I fly high in the sky…Now I’m going to say

Goodbye!

Best Buy @15 Campaign

As many of you already know, America SCORES has been selected by Best Buy as one of four nonprofits eligible to win $250,000 between now and August 1st. In order to win this money, we need teens (13-18) to sign up to the Best Buy @15 campaign and vote for America SCORES.

Please follow this link and sign up to the America SCORES Best Buy @15 Fan Page. In addition, if you or someone you know is between the ages of 13-18 and you think they might like to join our TEEN EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE, please contact me (Matt Menietti) at 314-533-0302 or email me at mmenietti@americascores.org.

The three nonprofits we are competing against are YMCA, Room to Read, and The Truth. For us to have a chance at winning this money, we really need your help! Please let us know if you know any teens that might like to participate in a fun summer project, either by themselves or with a few of their friends, and help raise money for America SCORES.

Thanks for your help!

--Matt

Inspired Art is Almost Here!

Over the last few months, the Inspired Art Planning Committee and America SCORES St. Louis have put countless hours into making this event possible. We're less than 3 weeks away from the big event and we're all very excited to see community members, artists, parents, supporters, friends, and family come out to celebrate and recognize our young poet-athletes.

If you haven't already done so, please purchase your tickets today!

I (Matt Menietti, the man behind the curtain, rather, the keyboard) wanted to highlight two of our recent submissions to give you a taste of what kind of art will be displayed at the art show.

For all of our other submissions, please visit the inspired art website.



Our guest artist, internationally renowned for his work and a resident of Missouri, is Ibiyinka Alao. Ibiyinka submitted a piece that is matched with a piece entitled "Tall as a Tree".

In this world people do bad things.

Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree.

People want to steal, and kill.

Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree.

People want to lie, and don’t believe in God.

Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree.

People want to drop out of school

And not get a good education.

Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree.

None of those things make us big I see.

So I’m going to stay rooted and grow,

Tall as a tree.

By Khalfani M., Sherman Elementary

America SCORES Receives Largest Donation In Its History From Bestfoods Educational Foundation

Grant Allows National Youth Development Non-Profit to Provide More Opportunities to Children

02.22.2010 – New York, NY—The Board of Directors of America SCORES, a national youth development organization, has been awarded the largest ever gift in the organization’s 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 will use the gift to dramatically improve the delivery of its 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 America SCORES to provide more and better opportunities to empower children across the country to succeed in school and live healthy lives.
“This gift will enable America SCORES to reach new heights in its mission to inspire urban youth through creativity and teamwork,” said Norma Barquet, CEO of America SCORES. “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.”
In addition to the Bestfoods Educational Foundation, America SCORES has long-standing partnerships with the Corporation for National and Community Service, Hewitt Associates and adidas.
“The Bestfoods Educational Foundation has enthusiastically supported America SCORES with substantial annual grants for the past seven years,” said Richard Bergeman, Chairman of the Board of the Bestfoods Educational Foundation. “We are truly pleased to be able to make this most recent grant of $1.3 million, knowing that it will help America SCORES move energetically forward in its mission to serve many thousands, some day perhaps hundreds of thousands, of children across the country.”
The Bestfoods Educational Foundation was set up and funded by executives of Bestfoods to provide scholarships to children of Bestfoods employees around the world. After Unilever acquired Bestfoods in 2000, the founding executives continued to oversee its donations to educational causes until they decided to liquidate the fund and direct final major donations to a select group of charities at the end of 2009.

“America SCORES is deeply grateful to be among this special group of non-profits that the Bestfoods Educational Foundation selected and we will work very hard to continue the vision of the Foundation for years to come,” said Fred Popp, Chairman of the Board at America SCORES.
About America SCORES:
America SCORES is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifying value, we inspire youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students and become agents of change in their communities.
America SCORES currently operates affiliates in urban public schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in 14 cities including: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Washington DC, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis.
The 2008 President’s Committee has recognized America SCORES on the Arts and Humanities with a Coming Up Taller Award for its exemplary programs fostering the creative and intellectual development of America's youth and by Charity Navigator as one of the most administratively efficient nonprofits in the country. For more information, visit www.AmericaSCORES.org.
# # #

Media Contact:
Michael Wichman
Hamilton Public Relations
mwichman@getpr.com
O—212.328.5203
M—917.526.0855

White House Childhood Obesity Initiative Launched Today

As you may have heard, today Michelle Obama kicked off a campaign called Let's Move to fight childhood obesity, which includes a White House memorandum "establishing a new federal task force to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. The task force, according to the memorandum, will have 90 days to craft a plan encouraging "optimal coordination" between the federal government and both the private and non-profit sectors, according to Obama." (cnn.com)

Click here to read the First Lady's Let's Move blog.

Partnering with the First Lady and other interested organizations, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has launched a new, independent organization called Partnership for a Healthier America. According to a statement by RWJF, "The purpose of the new Partnership for a Healthier America is unique: to bring together the public, private and nonprofit leaders who must be part of the movement; to secure their sustained, measurable commitments to reversing the epidemic; and to track the impact of those commitments to ensure greater accountability throughout this important movement." Please see below for more information about the Partnership.

Official White House Page on the campaign.

Michelle Obama talks childhood obesity with Matt Lauer on TODAY.

Statement from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announcing the Partnership for a Healthier America.

What inspires you?

As some of you may already know, we're working around the clock (well, at least during day) to ensure our Inspired Art Show is a huge success. Not familiar with the project? Read on.

The Inspired Art Project enlists local artists to create and donate original works, inspired by original poetry written by students participating in America SCORES St. Louis. Started a few years ago by another SCORES affiliate in the Bay Area, the Inspired Art Project is being realized here in St. Louis.

Through this cycle of inspiration and influence:

• students will witness their creativity brought to life,
• artists will build connections with diverse communities around the City, and
• SCORES’ supporters will see the profound impact these youths’ words can have on others.

Artwork will be displayed alongside the original poem and sold at the Inspired Art Show on March 20, 2010. Proceeds from the Inspired Art Show will directly benefit SCORES, providing free, creative writing and soccer after-school programming to elementary-aged students in St. Louis.

Want to get submit a piece of artwork, attend the show, or sign up to volunteer?

Check out www.inspiredartstlouis.og.

A New Year for Kids

New Year's resolutions are usually all about ourselves. We're challenging you to help us change that.

Here’s how:

Go to http://www.newyear4kids.wordpress.com and tell us what you will do for kids this year!

Countdown to the Poetry Slam!

As you may know, our annual Poetry Slam is slated for next Tuesday, November 17th. The staff, parents, coaches, and poet-athletes are all extremely excited for this year's event. Each school (Nance Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, Lexington Elementary, and Walbridge Elementary) will be performing both group and individual poems. Here's some footage from last year's slam to give you feel for what it's like:




Here's the information for the Slam, we hope to see you there!

Metro High School Auditorium

4015 McPherson Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63108

The event begins at 5 p.m.

Spreading the Word: ASCAP Songwriter Residency

For the third year in a row, the ASCAP foundation has provided artists for the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES. This year, the artists came to St. Louis, LA, and Atlanta. For three days, the artists came into classrooms and while collaborating on songs and film scores, taught SCORES students about songwriting and filmmaking (in LA).

At the end of the residency, SCORES students and ASCAP artists recorded their co-written pieces together. This year's artists were songwriter Alonzo Lee in St. Louis, songwriter Johntá Austin in Atlanta, and Composer Shawn K. Clement and animation filmmaker Roger Blonder in LA.

To view the complete press release about this year's program, click here.

With help from Sue Devine from ASCAP and the ASCAP artists, we have created a facebook fan page for the program, to display photos and videos from the current and past programs. We have also created a MySpace page where visitors can listen to our music, and a youtube channel to display our music videos.

Please spread the word about this great program. Thanks to ASCAP for their generous support!