SAN JOSE, Calif. - Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour visited Castro Elementary School in Mountain View, Calif. on Wednesday, in the sixth 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.
The day began when the principal and teachers from the school gave a brief introduction and presented Beitashour to an enthusiastic ovation. The group of 125 children, varying from kindergarten to fifth graders, welcomed the defender with chants and cheers.
PHOTO GALLERY: Beitashour visits Castro Elementary
The San Jose native stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle had during his childhood. He detailed his journey beginning at the age of four and playing on clubs and high school teams through San Diego State University in Southern California for college. He told the kids he was drafted by the Earthquakes last year and scored his first goal in the third game of his rookie season. At all of these stops, he stressed the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.
During the question-and-answer session, Beitashour chatted with the elementary school students and then invited nine from the group to join him for a juggling contest. He asked everyone for their favorite fruit and vegetables and stressed the importance of outdoor activities and exercise, and related by using examples from his childhood.
To conclude the afternoon, Beitashour signed player cards and Earthquakes staff handed out 125 replica jersey t-shirts and 250 tickets, courtesy of Amway, to the students for San Jose’s seventh home game of the season on Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium against Houston Dynamo.
The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create Amway Kicks for Kids in 2009. The program is in 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.
