Kennett, PA – Gang prevention is the goal of nine newly formed soccer teams in the Kennett, Avon Grove, and Oxford School Districts. On March 7, the New Garden Jaguars will take the field against the Hurricanes from Fred S. Engle Middle School at New Garden Community Park in Avondale.
The soccer program is an outgrowth of the Jaguars boys club founded in 2004 as an after school gang prevention program. The boys club combines scouting and soccer to create a series of career exploration programs, athletic activities and social events that provide the boys with an alternative to gang life.
“Our immediate goal is to give the boys opportunities to create realistic short- and long-term career and educational goals that steer them away from gangs and towards a successful future that includes staying in school, staying out of trouble and eventually leading to a successful job and a good life,” said Jaguars co-founder Lindsey Sweet.
Sweet, who formed the Jaguars with New Garden Elementary School teacher Jeri Ramagnano, said she and Ramagnano were alarmed by the growing sense of despair among their young Hispanic students.
“It seemed as if more and more that the boys were lacking a sense of their own future, their own potential – and making them easy targets for gang life,” said Sweet. “They didn’t seem to have the same hope for a better future as their parents who immigrated to this country did. We wanted to provide the boys with positive male role models and positive experiences to show them the connection between a good education, hard work and a better life. And, of course, since they are still children, we also needed them to have fun while they were doing it.”
Sweet, who is employed by the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s Migrant Education program, enlisted the help of CCIU colleague Mauricio Rebollo to form the Jaguars. Together, they modified their character and career education program and incorporated it into a modified Webelos Cub Scout program, and then added soccer into the mix.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for these students to see and live the experience of having a choice,” said Rebollo. “We want them to put it all together - that their actions create their future. To do that, we want to provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, to learn about different jobs and to start thinking about creating a good future for themselves.”
Although the soccer program is a great motivator and a wonderful way to teach students about team work, cooperation and good sportsmanship, it is just one of the many activities Sweet, Ramagnano and Rebollo have planned for the students, other upcoming activities include:
- Field trip to Philadelphia KIXX game
- Gang life: Myth vs. Reality presented by Pennsylvania State Trooper Corey Monthei. Trooper Monthei will speak about gangs and where the gangster life leads in Chester County. Trooper Monthei will demystify the gang lifestyle and present its reality instead. In addition, Trooper Monthei will talk about an alternative to gang life – a career in law enforcement!
- Career Exploration Landscaping Project: The Jaguars at RAM-T. The RAM-T Corporation has agreed to work with the Jaguars to landscape the entrance area surrounding the sign in front of New Garden Elementary School. Students will manage the project from start to finish, beginning with the architecture using landscaping software at RAM-T; choosing shrubs and plants under the direction of Ashley Turner, landscape designer at RAM-T; and finally planting and installing their creation this spring.
- Jaguars vs. the Hurricanes, soccer match at New Garden Community Park, Route 41, Avondale, PA on March 7, 2006 from 3:45-4:30 p.m. This is the debut match of the Jaguars and the Hurricanes.
- Soccer Tournament – Nine soccer teams from throughout southern Chester County will participate in a soccer tournament on Saturday, May 20 at Upland Country Day School in Kennett Square.
