Tex Hooper , the mascot for FC Dallas , highfives William Brockaway and Bryan Baza as they run laps during GOAL practice .
Another big score for GOAL
Story by Mario Zavala Jr . Photos by Mario Zavala Jr . and Julie Zwahr
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After-school leadership program continues to thrive with an assist from FC Dallas
If you think that a student organization aptly named GOAL would be all about soccer , physical fitness and , for lack of a better description , scoring goals – then you ’ d be completely wrong .
Everyone associated with GOAL , knows there is more to it than soccer . Those that are quickly becoming associated with the program are understanding the concept too .
“ School and life are major parts of GOAL . We understand that without school , we wouldn ’ t have GOAL , and without the support of the community we wouldn ’ t have school ,” said Gabriel Lira , an eighth grader at Strickland Middle School . “ Those two are tied together and why we know we have to do well in school and why we give back to our community .”
Kellyn Acosta , a member of FC Dallas , recently got a first-hand look at what the Guys / Girls Operating as Leaders ( GOAL ) program is all about . The Major League Soccer standout visited with members of the Strickland GOAL program as part of a donation on behalf of the team and Elephant Auto Insurance .
Mr . Acosta spoke to the students about the importance of being a leader on the soccer pitch , in the classroom and in your community . When he learned that the members of SMSC and the Valkyries ( Strickland ’ s boys and girls soccer clubs ) routinely practice that same message as members of GOAL , the MLS midfielder praised their work and encouraged them to continue on that path .
“ It ’ s great being out here and seeing what the students doing on the field and as volunteers in the community . I know all the guys and girls are very happy to be here , taking part in this program ,” Mr . Acosta said .