The 60-60-60 Challenge: Day Three

Welcome to Day Three of the 60-60-60 Challenge to support America SCORES Seattle and celebrate National Poetry Month! 

As promised, below are some poems and resources to help you reach your goal to give your Full 180 to America SCORES Seattle by taking the 60-60-60 Challenge to read 60 poems for National Poetry Month, to walk 60 miles for yourself, and to raise 60 dollars for America SCORES Seattle!

Today’s poems were written by our 2011 National Poetry Slam representatives, Anh and Alejandro.

Love Story

By Anh T., Maple Elementary

When I look at you,

You smile back like you always do.

You point at my shoe. 

It’s untied.

My face turns red,

And I don’t know why.

When we first met,

You were standing by a corvette.

You bought me some flowers.

You took me to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

But now I have to go take a shower.

When I go to bed, I dream of your face,

And plus of my untied shoelace.

When I borrow your glue,

You say yes.

When I needed your help,

You let me cheat off your test.

I saw you standing there with a heart-shaped chocolate.

I saw you have a picture but you put it in your pocket.

I think it was a picture of me,

And you look at it whenever you are free.

Your eyes are blue.

You came up to me and said I love you.

RING!!!

I woke up and I saw the ceiling.

That just broke my heart,

And broke my feelings.

Mom

By Anh T., Maple Elementary

You are my friend, my heart, my soul

You are the best friend that I know

You teach me how to do things right

You make the world bright at night

You taught me right from wrong

You were the one who showed me how to be strong

You told me to reach for Mars

I hope that I become the woman that you are

My Crush

By Alejandro C., Maple Elementary

When I wake up from bed

You’re always in my head

When I see you at school

You treat me like a fool

You’re my crush

When you walk by me, my hearts in a rush

When I gave you a flower

You crushed it with power

You left me in tears

That’s one of my worst fears

You’re so smart

You’re always in my heart

You’re so cute

You never make me puke

You’re so funny

I wish I could call you honey

You get 100% on your test

I know you’re the best

When I grow up, I want you to be mine

If you say no, I’m still fine

And today's video is from SCORES supporter and Maple Elementary School principal Pat Hunter

Suggested Hike/Walk

Carkeek Park: Eddie McAbee Entrance (NW 100^th Place) to Carkeek Beach via Pipers Creek and Wetland Trails & Return

Mileage: 2.5

ABOUT CARKEEK PARK

This popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Explore the secrets of this northwest Seattle watershed, nine miles from downtown. Here, 220 acres of lush forest, meadows, wetlands, creeks, and beach are formed by the magic of water and time. Come take part in an education program, have a picnic, or get involved as a volunteer teacher or as part of an outdoor work party. Walk the Pipers Canyon Story Trail, play on the uniquely salmon themed play area, or touch time at the historic Piper Orchard.

Join the Seattle SCORES' Full 180 team, and share with your friends and family. #Full180

The 60-60-60 Challenge: Day Two

Welcome to Day Two of the 60-60-60 Challenge to support America SCORES Seattle and celebrate National Poetry Month!

As promised, below are some poems and resources to help you reach your goal of giving your Full 180 to America SCORES Seattle by taking the 60-60-60 Challenge to read 60 poems for National Poetry Month, to walk 60 miles for yourself, and to raise 60 dollars for America SCORES Seattle!

Start fundraising now by joining our team on crowdrise :: Seattle SCORES' Full 180 

Today’s poems were written by last year’s representatives from Seattle who went to New York City and performed on the stage at the Apollo Theater at the America SCORES 2012 National Poetry Slam.

When I Close My Eyes

By Tya Nguyen, Maple Elementary

When I close my eyes, I see you

The person who makes my heart whole

You’re my life, my heart, my soul

You’re the awesomest person I know

You stand by my side

And keep me safe and whole

I hope you know how much I love you so

As time goes by and I grow old

You don’t know how many times I cry

When I open my eyes

And my days are done

I know that we’ll be one

My Pencil

By William W., Bailey Gatzert Elementary

My pencil is the key to my imagination

It shows me new things

And keeps secrets from me

My pencil is like a gentle rose in a garden

My pencil is the rocket to success

One day my pencil will lead me

                to my million dollar contract

I know I was born with a pencil in my hand

My pencil will be passed down

                for generations and generations

My pencil, my pencil, my pencil

Black History Month

By William W., Bailey Gatzert Elementary

February is black history, we should all know this

Dr. Martin Luther King fought for our rights

And Madam CJ Walker kept our hair neat and tight

Benjamin Banneker worked with a grand clock

Man black history month really rocks!

Michel Jordan had his own shoe; you can buy at the mall

And Jackie Robinson was the first African American to hit a major league baseball

Michelle Obama married Prez number 44

And Gandhi said end all war

Sojourner Truth only spoke the truth

We should believe her, me and you

Mohammed Ali only fought in the ring

He probably bought his wife lots of bling bling

Jesse Own ran lots of track

And Bill Cosby knows how to act

Maya Angelou is a great poet

Oprah Winfrey changes lots of people’s lives

Coretta Scott was Dr King’s wife

And today's video is from SCORES poet-athlete, Vanessa L. at Maple Elementary, whose poem "SCORES is My Life" will be published this month in America SCORES national publication, the Kicker.

Suggested Hike/Walk

Carkeek Park :: Eddie McAbee Entrance  at NW 100^th Place to Carkeek Beach via Pipers Creek and Wetland Trails & Return

Mileage: 2.5

ABOUT CARKEEK PARK

This popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Explore the secrets of this northwest Seattle watershed, nine miles from downtown. Here, 220 acres of lush forest, meadows, wetlands, creeks, and beach are formed by the magic of water and time. Come take part in an education program, have a picnic, or get involved as a volunteer teacher or as part of an outdoor work party. Walk the Pipers Canyon Story Trail, play on the uniquely salmon themed play area, or touch time at the historic Piper Orchard.

Join the Seattle SCORES' Full 180 team, and share with your friends and family.#Full180

The 60-60-60 Challenge :: Give Your Full 180 to SCORES!

April is National Poetry Month and we're celebrating with a brand new challenge for our supporters. 

Give your Full 180 to America SCORES Seattle by taking the 60-60-60 Challenge to read 60 poems for National Poetry Month, to walk 60 miles for yourself, and to raise 60 dollars for America SCORES Seattle!

Start fundraising now by joining our team on crowdrise :: Seattle SCORES' Full 180

All month long, to help you meet The Challenge, we’ll be posting poems written by our poet-athletes, videos of our supporters reading you a poem, and hiking resources for around Seattle, so be sure to check our blog often this month.  

Today's poems are from our 2013 America SCORES National Poetry Slam representatives:

Am I an Animal?

Juvanni P., age 11

Dunlap Elementary, Seattle

Am I an animal?

No. I’m a human.

Am I a cat going meow?

No. I’m a human speaking right now.

Am I a bird soaring up high?

No. I’m a human walking down on the ground.

Am I a snake with no arms to grab stuff?

No. I’m a human with arms to grab a tiny puff.

Am I a bear sleeping in the dark?

No. I’m a human waking up in the light.

Am I a wolf hunting to feed?

No. I’m a human buying food at Jolly Bee.

Am I a fish swimming for survival?

No. I’m a human running at the carnival.

Am I an animal?

No. I’m a human.

Hip Hop Weather

Samari A., age 10

Dunlap Elementary, Seattle

The sun beams around the clouds

Peaking to see if anyone’s paying attention

Am I bright enough to make a difference?

Do you see the sparkle in my eyes?

The rain pours down, hitting the ground like a boombox

Sadly the tears slide down my face

Reaching the pavement

And feeling the bass

Hip hop, tap, and rap

Feelin’ the need to step back

I never know when the weathers gonna to change

But I definitely know Hip Hop’s my name

My voice makes a sunset explode with colors

Red, blue, black and pink

My pen refills with ink

As time goes by, like an hour glass full of sand

The earth just stops with one musical command

Hip hop gives me inspiration to love each note

I write my rhythms and rhymes like a wrinkle in a time

From the west to the east to the north to the south

That’s what hip hop weather is all about

Peace

Today's video is from Coach Gallimore, Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Washington, who shares with you 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings', a poem by one of her favorite poets - Maya Angelou.

And if you're in West Seattle, here's a great hike to check out:

Lincoln Park – Waterfront Trail (West Seattle)

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lincoln-park

Located on the western edge of West Seattle, Lincoln Park offers 5 miles of trails, including a loop hike with bluff and beachfront views of Puget Sound, Vashon Island, and the Olympic Mountains. The park is family-friendly, with a wading pool, playground, bathroom facilities, ball fields, and multiple trail options.

Mileage:  2.14 miles from Fauntleroy Way SW Parking Lot (& Return)

Join the Seattle SCORES' Full 180 team, and share with your friends and family. #Full180

A Night of Down Under Fun II

This Friday join us for the 2nd Annual Night of Down Under Fun to benefit America SCORES Seattle at the Kangaroo and Kiwi Pub (in Ballard).

We'll celebrate with Australian Food, Drinks, Games and Door Prizes Galore on Friday March 29th at 7 pm.

The event costs $30 (at the door or in advance) which includes 1 Australian drink (beer, wine or soft drink), Aussie snacks including Vegemite sandwiches, a lucky number for more than a dozen door prizes, and a ticket in The Race That Stops a Nation.

All proceeds benefit the amazing poet-athletes of America SCORES Seattle! Come out for a Night of Down Under Fun, all while making a difference in the lives of under-served youth in Seattle Public Schools.

To buy tickets in advance, visit our donation page and specify Down Under event:  

https://seattlescores.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/79504/Default.aspx

SCORES at Family Day: Kick it Forward

America SCORES Seattle has been invited to participate in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center's next family event, “Family Day: Kick it Forward,” on Saturday, March 23 from 10 am – 3 pm. 

This free event will bring together the soccer-centric culture of the Puget Sound with the globally shared passion of futból – a sport that inspires civic engagement locally and globally. In addition to touring the interactive exhibits at the Visitor Center, you’ll have the chance to participate in hands-on activities such as making soccer balls from recycled materials, hearing how professional soccer players have been inspired to give back and listening to stories about how playing soccer brings joy to kids around the world. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience a pickup game of soccer on a temporary field just outside the Visitor Center. 

America SCORES Seattle's 2013 National Poetry Slam representatives will be performing their original poetry before heading off to New York City to represent Seattle at the Slam.  Their performance will be at 2 pm.

The Visitor Center is located East of Seattle Center at 440 Fifth Ave North
To learn more and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page: http://on.fb.me/WN5Bcz/
Visit their website at visitorcenter.gatesfoundation.org

Happy International Women's Day!

50% of participants in the America SCORES program are girls.  In Seattle, that means nearly 150 girls this school year are learning commitment, leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork through soccer, poetry and community service.  To those girls, and the countless others who have participated in Seattle SCORES over the last 10 years, Happy International Women’s Day.  We know you’ll grow up to change the world for the better.  

Here are some recent photos of our Junior SCORES girls in action! You girls rock!

March is National Nutrition Month!

March is National Nutrition Month!!®

In honor of National Nutrition Month®, our Junior SCORES program has been working on "Delicious Descriptions." Our poet-athletes have been discussing the importance of nutrition and have been learning how to use adjectives to create  poems about their favorite vegetable or fruit! The objective of Delicious Descriptions is to encourage our poet-athletes to think about and examine what healthy choices they need to make in order to grow up healthy and strong. All of our poet-athletes have done a wonderful job writing and sharing their Delicious Descriptions!


This year, National Nutrition Month's® theme is "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day", which highlights that building a personalized eating plan is key to improved health!  http://www.eatright.org/nnm/#