San Jose Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow visited Mathson Middle School on Wednesday afternoon in San Jose as a part of the Amway Kicks for Kids program. The Amway Kicks for Kids program, in its second year, helps teach local youth about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
The students greeted the Quakes defender with cheers and applause as he took his place in front of the crowd of 150 students who attended the assembly. The students were selected by the teachers based on merit and behavior.
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Morrow stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle has had on his life. The Ohio native told the students how a healthy diet helped him to have the energy to play soccer at a competitive level. He also explained the importance of being active and getting enough rest to perform at your best. Morrow spoke about how he got started in his career and emphasized the importance of education.
After he finished speaking, he participated in a question and answer session where the topics ranged from the importance of keeping good grades, what his favorite school subject was and about the team. Morrow selected three students to join him in front of the other students for a juggling contest.
To conclude the afternoon, Morrow signed autographs and posed for photographs with the students. Earthquakes staff passed out t-shirts and two tickets to the Quakes match against Chivas USA on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7 p.m. to all the children.
The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create the Amway Kicks for Kids program in 2009. Throughout the 2010 season 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.
