Santiago’s soccer journey in England!

About 4 years ago, walking in to my 5th grade class, there was Santiago who came in with this calmness and braveness. He had came in middle of the year but he made friends really quick and I got to know him as a student and then later on as a talented athlete. During parent/teacher conferences I had a conversation with his mom and how he just wasn’t successful at his old school. Fortunately, I never got to see that side of him. He was respectful, caring, but very quiet. He always did his work and never had any issues with him, and really truly enjoyed having him as a student.

But, my favorite memory of Santiago when I was his teacher, is that I would take my lunch break to go out and play soccer in the field with the kids. Sports helps students to be able to connect with me and not see me as just a teacher, but someone who can enjoy things outside of the classroom. And at that time, I had zero knowledge of soccer, but I just wanted to bond with my students. As I was out there on the field, I noticed his talent and passion. This kid would run out the cafeteria EVERY single day and play soccer. It didn’t matter with who or where, but just that he would get to play. Tania was coaching a 2008 boys group at that time as well, and I quickly went to her and said, “Tania, there is this kid, he’s new and he can play! You need him on your team!”. She then got to see him play during recess and just asked him if he played somewhere and sadly at the time he did. He was playing with RSL. We left it alone and we would actually get to see him sometimes passing by when Tania was coaching her boys at different parks. Tanias team at the time got to play against him and his team, and it was amazing to watch.

A few years passed, and every year, we asked if he was ready to come play with Tania but he really wanted to stay with his team. An unprecedented event happened in his life that he had to stop playing soccer and had decided to not really play anymore. To our patience and persistence Tania and I were volunteering at a church event and we saw him. It felt like routine of asking him if he was playing and if he was ready to come to Tanias team. He actually said “Yes” this time. Tania and I looked at each other and we were so happy! She talked to his parents and everything was on board.

Now after two years of being on her team, he was chosen to play for the San Diego Surf ID Camp, where the top players of the different SURF teams from different states get to participate in. We drove him and other players to San Francisco to be a part of this event. There were different coaches there that coach in the top level teams. Santiago was one of the few who got chosen to be a part of the SURF SELECT program which will take place in England. This is a one in a lifetime opportunity for him and we want to be there to support him and guide him.

We believe in him and know that he deserves every good thing that happens to him. Tania and I will be joining him on this journey but do need some help financially. His family would really want an adult to go with him, because sending a 15 year alone across country can be overwhelming and scary! But we are just happy that we get to experience this with him.

We ask that you help us out and make this one in a lifetime experience a good one for him. Thank you so much for your contribution and we can’t wait to update you on his journey in England!