“My goal is to have 3 A’s in math, reading and science. I pass my goal.” Axsaulis, McCarver Elementary

“My goal is to do all my homework. I did pretty good. I’ve been turning in every single piece of my homework.” Callie, Fern Hill Elementary

For many students, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “Oh, just to see these kids’ face when they walk through the door here, you wouldn’t believe. Most of them say ‘Wow!’ you know, they’re just floored. They’ve never been to Quest Field before and to work so hard on a goal and to reach it and come and celebrate with us is just a joy,” says Teresa Maxwell, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Tacoma

The day of celebration began with school buses of eager students lining up outside Quest Field. As each group of students arrived, they were allowed out onto the field where they had their pictures taken right on the 40 yard line. Inside, students practiced their football skills with blow-up football games, met and got autographs from a couple of Seagals, and got the chance to run around with Blitz, the Seahawks very own mascot.

The festivities really kicked off with the Subway Sandwich Build competition and the introduction of seven Seahawk players: Howard Green, Ray Willis, Sean Locklear, Michael Bumpus, TJ Duckett, DeMichael Dizer, and Ben Obomanu. The seven players were split into two teams with each team matched with six lucky students who would compete to build a six foot long Subway Sandwich as quickly as possible. After a few short minutes of flying turkey and lettuce, team two won the challenge!

Students then listened to Seahawk player #87, Ben Obomanu, tell his own story about facing and overcoming challenges to reach success, and congratulated the students on their achievements. Ben Obomanu understood not only the importance of setting and reaching goals, but also the importance of community support and programs like First & Goal. “Not only do they have the parents, the teachers, and the instructors in schools as support. But to also know that they have the support of the Seahawks and the people in their communities who care about their well-being and care about them going off and being successful in life is important. So I think that the just extra motivation to help them to come back, to want to come back to an event like this next year, to encourage other students and classmates to be successful and accomplish their goals, I think the extra motivation is going to go a long way for a lot of kids,” said Ben Obomanu.

Students also enjoyed a free lunch and watched as seven students were individually recognized for reaching their goals with the prize of a mini Seahawks helmet. After lunch, the event closed with every student receiving a goody bag full of donated gifts from Costco and a coupon for a free Subway sandwich. As the students lined up to leave, they each got the opportunity to meet a Seahawk player and receive an autograph on a Seahawk program.

Autographs and pictures with Seahawk players

The day was a complete success as evidenced by the smiles and cheers of the students as they climbed into the buses that would take them home. The event not only celebrated each student’s success, but also reaffirmed the importance of goal setting and community support. “We want to share the importance of goal setting with the students,” said Mike Flood, Seahawks Vice President. “The First and Goal program provides a structure where the students develop, track, attain and receive positive recognition for their goals.” It is through the continuation of programs like First & Goal, and exciting days like the First & Goal Luncheon, that will help children be successful in school and in life.

The birth of her daughter, Jasmine, was a turning point for Angelica. “I remember thinking: How can I bring a child into this world and basically put her in the same situation I came from? I hated my life, and I didn’t want that for her,” she says. Motivated to return to school, Angelica faced huge challenges in finding a place to live, caring for her daughter, attending high school, and trying to make ends meet. “I finally just told my teacher that I didn’t have a home; that I was struggling,” says Angelica. Angelica’s teacher contacted Communities In Schools’ for assistance. “The next day, I came to school and they gave me a bag full of supplies like shampoo, conditioner and lots of other stuff. They helped me with business clothes, food vouchers, and baby supplies. It was such a pick-me-up. It was so wonderful.”

With her new career clothes, Angelica attended a job fair and found a way to pay the bills. With the continued support of her teacher and Communities In Schools, Angelica found day care for her daughter and received her high school diploma. “Graduating high school gave me the confidence to try out college – just to give it a try. I worked hard, and I got a 3.8 my first quarter. I was stunned,” says Angelica.

Two years later, Angelica is still an honors student at Green River Community College, and will attend the University of Washington in Tacoma this fall to begin a bachelor’s degree in business. “I’m just really happy about my life and happy that I can provide for my daughter,” she says. Angelica is already making a difference in Jasmine’s life by reading to her regularly and sharing her new love for learning. “I’m not only changing my daughter’s life,” she says, “I’m changing the lives of my grandchildren – all those people that she’s going to touch. Because it doesn’t stop with me – it keeps going to the next generation.”

Angelica has worked hard, and with the help of a caring teacher and Communities In Schools she has succeeded in reaching and surpassing her goals. “Communities In Schools opened that first door for me to walk through. And that gave me encouragement to keep going.”