Summer of power. Summer of strength. Summer of unity. Summer of community. Summer of legends. Summer of comebacks. Summer of summers.
Summer of Books & Buckets Youth Academy 2021.
The last week of this year's Youth Academy was bitter-sweet. We started the day off with some intense 3 on 3 tournaments that included our youth and our coaches.
The bracket was tough with double elimination. In the end, the team led by the local Washington Neighborhood youth Mario took the win despite the late push from the team led by the B&B MVP Edrick. Mario's team won 3 Beach Basketball hats straight from Long Beach State.
We finished off the day with a ceremony with a special host, Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. The Councilwoman presented Certificates from her District 1 office along with certificates from the Long Beach Mayor's Office.
All the Books & Buckets Youth were given medals commemorating their name and the Books & Buckets Youth Academy 2021. They were also given a bag full of school supplies sponsored by the Assistance League of Long Beach and a Books & Buckets customized limited edition shirt.
Awards were passed out for stellar performance:
MVP - Edrick Salgado
Perfect Attendance - Edrick & Emiliano
Most Improved Player - Emiliano & Alexa
Defensive Player of the Year - DyAon
All-Academic Athlete - Angel M.
Coach of the Year - Gabriel & Marlene
Photographer of the Year - Daniel Perez
Also, anyone who attended 70% of the youth academy was awarded $100 Visa gift cards. It was a long 10-weeks of Academy Days and the consistent youth who came day-in-day-out deserve the recognition.
The Books & Buckets Youth Academy was also awarded a $10,000 grant from Councilwoman Mary Zendejas! This ensures the Academy isn't a one-and-done program but that it continues to support long-term neighborhood impact through strong and powerful youth. We thank the local District 1 council office for investing in the youth and in placed-based neighborhood empowerment.
The Books & Buckets Youth Academy Finale was also sponsored by the local Dominos with free pizza for the event. The youth enjoyed the day of support from local partners and the day of recognition for all of their hard work.
Books & Buckets isn't just bringing a youth program to a neighborhood that needs it most. It is bringing funding to the community. It is bringing investment to the local youth. It is bringing space for communal bonds, social connectedness, and youth social capital.
This program is nothing without our Washington Neighborhood youth. We thank all the youth who participated in this program and their parents who believed in the program.
Because WE BELIEVE.
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