High school is a busy time.
Between academic assignments and expectations, friends, family, and a variety of activities, teenagers are given the challenge of finding a way to balance all of these responsibilities. Anyone who manages to do all of that and volunteer their time to help others deserves to be recognized as a good citizen of the community.
Honoring the members of the Mission Oak Girls Basketball team who are setting a wonderful example of Citizenship by giving back to the community as volunteer coaches and referees for younger basketball players was a must for Coach Dave Caetano.
“It is an honor and privilege to coach and work with these girls,” Caetano said. “They demonstrate class on a daily basis by being respectful, kind and considerate of others.”
The Mission Oak players were responsible for coaching and refereeing the students in the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department PAL, in Pixley, during the sheriff’s basketball summer league program. The program serves students ranging in age from Pre-K to eighth grade.
“From about 4th grade and younger they almost became big sisters to the kids. It was remarkable to witness the kind nurturing way my players interacted with the students,” says Caetano.
“My favorite part about coaching this summer was getting to know all of the kids, and watch them go out on the court and just have fun,” Alora Thomas said of the coaching experience.
For her, it’s more than just a team.
“What I really enjoy about my team is that over the years we’ve become a family,” she said. “Everyone looks out for each other on and off the court and it’s become kind of a home away from home.”
The Mission Oak teammates were caring and exemplify what it means to be great citizens during this summer program working with the various students. They showed kindness and patience while mentoring the younger athletes.
“I loved coaching this summer. I actually want to be a PE teacher and major in kinesiology, so this was just me getting the feeling for coaching when I get older,” Braelyn Serpa said. “The kids were so good and well behaved and we had a few great basketball players in the older groups! It was a great opportunity and I look forward to doing it again in the future.”
Giving back to the community, working as a team, being honest, dependable and hardworking when serving as coaches and role models for younger players is why the Mission Oak Girls Basketball Team are deserving of the Character Counts Citizenship Award.
“Something I liked about coaching this summer is having the opportunity to help kids build a future with basketball and have fun,” Isabella Zepeda-Fernandez said of the coaching experience.
In addition to having fun and teaching basketball skills to younger students, she says about her team, “what I like about my team is that we can always share a laugh. No matter what, on or off the court. That’s what brings us together.”
These girls and teammates work well together and have built great friendships.
“The coaches are so amazing and push me to be the best player I can be. Because of them, I am getting better and better at this sport,” Braelyn Serpa said. “They saw potential in me… and it is an amazing experience. I love how close everyone on this team is. We are all sisters.”