Softball and Soccer Team Support for Underserved NYC High Schoolers
My students need a softball pitching machine, softballs, and soccer balls. Our school's sports teams are under-resourced, and we work hard to compete with other area high schools.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
The WIHS campus is home to 2,500 students and many sports teams. Most of the school's students are low-income, many are international, and some struggle with homelessness or other issues at home. The welcoming environment in the school provides many support services, ranging from providing help in legal matters to meeting the medical needs of the students.
All the students of the school have diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
The diversity of the school allows the students to develop respect for other cultures and values while finding out their place in this world and how they can bring change for better. Students also work collaboratively on projects designed to bring out the richness of their cultures, experiences, and personalities.
My Project
Two of the sports teams we're proudest of are our softball team and soccer team. All of our Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs attend WIHS, most are low-income, and many are international students. For many, this is their first time on an organized sports team. We recruit good athletes and teach them the game, which they can take off the field and apply to real-life situations.
Despite not having the fancy equipment and lifelong coaching that other schools have, our softball team has made the playoffs for seven straight seasons.
The boy's soccer team, comprised of mostly recently-arrived international students, made it to the second round of the playoffs this fall. With these sports, we have created a culture of fun and hard work with a family atmosphere sprinkled in.
This year, we had 53 girls try out for the softball team, and only 19 made it. Both teams practice five times weekly and play up to 25 games each season. Our school is not fortunate enough to have a field nearby, so we use city parks for both practices and games. Despite this, we work hard and have the results to show it. We're looking forward to using the new pitching machine, softballs, and soccer balls take our game to the next level.
The diversity of the school allows the students to develop respect for other cultures and values while finding out their place in this world and how they can bring change for better.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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