DC Scores had its annual awards ceremony and fundraiser — and managed to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week at the same time — at Longview Gallery on Tuesday night. Over a hundred volunteers, teachers, guests and DC United’s Ben Olsen were in attendance to recognize the teachers who work with students in after school programs that focus on soccer, poetry, and community outreach.
Jerome Clemons a teacher at Imagine Hope Community Charter School’s Tolson campus was one of the teachers recognized during the event. This year, Clemons’ students were responsible for developing and implementing a plan to help clean up the litter around their school. Noticing the impact in their immediate area, the students expanded into their local community. Now, these youth have a weekly program where they go out to collect litter to maintain their school and nearby community. But all this might not have happened had Clemons not been persistent; He spent three years working with his school administration to convince them that DC Scores was a program the school desperately needed, explaining that DC Scores has everything he loves: sports, education, and a proven effective community outreach program.
Tuesday’s Appreciation Night event had some sport, some speeches, and a student portion of the program that’s become a signature at SCORES events — spoken word. This part of the evening gave students an outlet to express their personal creativity. Jency, a student at Barnard Elementary School and a “Shining Star” recipient for her winning poem “Be yourself do the courage,” was one of the students in attendance who shared her talents.
