Pashia, a fourth grade Milwaukee Public School student from LaFollette School (3239 N. Ninth St.) and three year America SCORES Milwaukee participant, has been selected to represent Milwaukee at the America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! in New York City.

“Pashia was selected to advance to the national level not only for the creation and performance of her original poem, but for her admirable sportsmanship and outstanding leadership in the classroom and on the soccer field,” said Jennifer Taff, school social worker and Pashia’s America SCORES Milwaukee soccer and writing coach.

To be held during National Poetry Month at the SVA Theatre in Chelsea on Monday, April 11th, the 10th annual National Poetry SLAM! will celebrate the achievements of 15 poet-athletes from across the United States. Pashia’s experience, as well as her fellow 14 poet-athletes that were chosen by their peers in their respective cities, will include participating in writing and performance workshops with renowned poets and spoken word artists, a tour of New York City, the opportunity to play soccer in Central Park and conclude with the event itself where she will take to the theatre stage to recite her poem to an audience of America SCORES supporters and advocates.

“Pashia’s hard work and determination earned her this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Kate Carpenter, America SCORES Milwaukee Executive Director.

Read more about Pashia's journey in this JSonline article.

Watch the CBS58 news feature, and the follow-up piece

Listen to the 89.7 WUWM Interview

Read the Men in Blazers "Raven" newsletter (section VI)

WATCH THE NATIONAL SLAM LIVE! Monday 4/11 @ 6:00PM

On Thursday, March 3rd, Uihlein Soccer Park played host to America SCORES’ 2nd Annual Junior Jamboree.
 
The Jamboree was set up to celebrate the coming to an end of the Junior SCORES season. Fifty 1st and 2nd graders rode buses from the north side of Milwaukee to participate in the Jamboree. 
 
For nearly an hour the participants, dribbled, passed, scored goals and cheered for each other. The concepts of Teamwork, Leadership and Commitment which the students were taught throughout the season, were all evident as the participants played their hearts out on the field. The icing on the cake was at the end of the Jamboree when the participants were all given their own soccer ball as they exited the fields. Martreveon C., a second grader at Gwen T. Jackson Elementary, surprised with the soccer ball asked our volunteer Jessica  “Do we get to keep these?” To which Jessica replied “Yes, it’s yours!”
 
Kate Carpenter, Executive Director of America SCORES said “This event is a true celebration and a reward for the kid’s hard work. It gives kids from under-served communities an opportunity to play in a fun and safe environment. We would like to thank Milwaukee Kickers and Uihlein Soccer Park for being gracious hosts.”