SAN JOSE, Calif. - Earthquakes goalkeeper Andrew Weber visited Hoover Middle School in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, in the second Amway Kicks for Kids event of 2011. In its third year of existence, Amway Kicks for Kids teaches local youth about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
Amy Shumway, an instructional coach for the San Jose Unified School District, coordinated the event and provided a brief speech before assistant principal Stephanie Palmeri took the microphone and introduced Weber to a loud applause. The group of 125 children welcomed the goalkeeper with a series of organized cheers.
PHOTO GALLERY: Weber visits Hoover Middle School
VIDEO: Highlights from Wednesday's Kicks for Kids event
The Tempe, Arizona native stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle had on his childhood while playing multiple sports. He explained his journey from a young student to the professional soccer ranks and stressed the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.
Hoover Middle School kids had a bevy of questions for Weber after he finished speaking. Weber delighted the kids with his answers and then invited ten from the group to join him for a header contest.
To conclude the afternoon, Weber signed poster schedules and Earthquakes staff handed out 125 replica jersey t-shirts and 250 tickets, courtesy of Amway, to the students for San Jose’s second home game of the season on Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium against Seattle Sounders FC.
The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create Amway Kicks for Kids in 2009. The program returns for its third season in 2011. Through Amway Kicks for Kids, Earthquakes players will visit 17 schools or community centers in the Bay Area to discuss the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle.
