Children and Youth

Gifted soccer in full swing at San Benito High School

Teachers praise team’s ‘positive atmosphere’ and ‘healthy habits.’
Members of the San Benito High School gifted soccer team at a March 13 practice. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
Members of the San Benito High School gifted soccer team at a March 13 practice. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
George Guerrero at the March 13 practice. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
Teammates gather for a group cheer! Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.

Spring is near, which means the fields at San Benito High School are full of young athletes practicing for the upcoming season.

The school’s gifted soccer team spent March 13 getting ready for their next game. Teacher Tania Sauer told BenitoLink the gifted sports program, which started last year, is popular with students. Sauer made it clear that all of them are there by choice. A gifted cheer team that encourages the players during games, is also available.

“It is cool to see the kids get reactions from their fans,” Sauer said. “It promotes healthy habits.”

Team members are excited about their sport and play in uniforms donated by Salinas Auto Sales. SBHS junior George Guerrero said it doesn’t matter to him if he plays defense or offense, but what he likes best is to score. He did so several times during practice.

Political science teacher and BenitoLink reporter Becky Bonner coaches gifted soccer at the high school. (Bonner is a regular reporter for BenitoLink.) She noted that some members of her girls’ varsity soccer team help coach and assist the gifted soccer team, adding that the team was instrumental in getting the gifted team started.

Bonner coaches the team during her off-block, as do the student coaches. She said it is “really a positive atmosphere. I really love working with the student population.”

Senior varsity soccer player Samantha Bloom coaches and assists the gifted sports kids on the field and was out at the March 13 practice.

“It is great to have all this inclusion in our school,” Bloom said. “This way, the kids get to be on a team and play like any other student.”

Upcoming San Benito High School gifted sports games include:

Gifted Games: April 26 at Gilroy High School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gifted Basketball: San Benito vs Salinas is tentatively scheduled for March 29 at 12:50 p.m. at San Benito High School.

Gifted Soccer: March 28, April 11, May 5 and May 16 at 11:45 a.m. at SBHS.

Gifted Cheer: March 29 performance at school rally.

Other related BenitoLink articles:

13th annual Gifted Games celebrates inclusion

 

Carmel de Bertaut

Carmel has a BA in Natural Sciences/Biodiversity Stewardship from San Jose State University and an AA in Communications Studies from West Valley Community College. She reports on science and the environment, arts and human interest pieces. Carmel has worked in the ecological and communication fields and is an avid creative writer and hiker. She has been reporting for BenitoLink since May, 2018 and covers Science and the Environment and Arts and Culture.