San Jose Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez visited Herbert Hoover Middle School in San Jose Wednesday afternoon as part of the Amway Kicks for Kids Program. The program, in its second year, helps teach local youth about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
Assistant principal Emalie McGinnis introduced Hernandez to loud applause to start the day’s activities. The group of 125 children had made signs on the wall welcoming Hernandez and also greeted him with Earthquakes flags when he came into the gymnasium.
The New York native stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle had on his life growing up playing multiple sports. Hernandez explained to the children how the choices he made as a child to eat healthy foods helped him achieve his goal of becoming a professional soccer player. He also told them to take advantage of the great California weather by getting outside and playing sports with friends or just doing some sort of physical activity.
After Hernandez finished speaking, he opened the floor to a question and answer session. He took a number of questions about his playing career before inviting some children to come up and demonstrate some soccer skills. Hernandez also showed off a number of his own tricks.
To conclude the afternoon, the 5’11” defender signed player cards and Earthquakes staff handed out over 125 jersey replica shirts and 250 tickets, donated by Amway, to the students to attend the Earthquakes home opener on Saturday, March 27 at 6 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium against Real Salt Lake.
The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create the Amway Kicks for Kids program in 2009. The program returns for its second season in 2010. Through the program, Earthquakes players will visit 15 schools or community centers in the Bay Area to discuss the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle.
