Just One Soccer League Opening Day Celebration

On Saturday March 26th Just One Soccer League held an opening day celebration at Essex County College gymnasium in Newark, NJ. Just One Soccer League (also known as JOSL) strives to build stronger neighborhoods and develop community leaders by bringing players, parents/guardians, families, coaches and volunteers together through the impactful sport of soccer.  All the city favorites were in attendance: Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Essex County Executive Joseph N. Divincenzo jr., Councilman  Carlos M. Gonzalez and Senator Teresa Ruiz. Special guest and NY Red Bulls Assistant Coach Mike Petke was in attendance and Co Hosted the event alongside, Senator Teresa Ruiz and Just One Soccer League Director, Oscar Rodriguez.

The event turnout was a huge success. Team fans poured into the bleachers sitting patiently to catch a glimpse of their favorite teams. The event began with a greeting by Senator Ruiz. Next Oscar Rodriguez welcomed an upcoming local Hip Hop/ Neo Soul singer named “Orikl” to sing the National Anthem. His vocals blew the audience away. Finally, the fun began “Here come the Teams!” an onlooker shouted. Senator Teresa Ruiz & Mike Pekte took turns announcing the teams. Exploding out from the rear of the gym flew groups of cute little kids fully dressed in colorful uniforms. After the fourth team appeared, it became evident that this display was some type of parade where prancing, fun, thrills, excitement and the smell of good food was in the air. Mayor Cory Booker gave a great speech that revved up the audience and then he greeted each team. Mayor Booker also took turns running with his favorite teams and carrying members of those teams on his shoulders. I stood back and thought to myself “Wow he’s cool and I bet, he’s that kid’s hero!”

Special Thanks to Nelson Rodriguez (Just One Soccer League Events Coordinator), who invited me to this wonderful event. I had a great time.

Mayor Cory Booker & Singer Orikl

L-R NY Red Bulls Assistant Coach Mike Petke, Just One Soccer League Director, Oscar Rodriguez and NJ State Senator Teresa Ruiz

The Masses

The Newark Women's Conference - An Enlightening Experience

Last Thursday 3/24, I received a call from Councilwoman Mildred Crump. She invited me to come and co-facilitate a workshop on “modeling” at her Newark Women’s Conference Event Held at Rutgers in Newark.  I almost squealed with glee!  I immediately called my best gal Diamonnique  Lassiter (Miss Newark 2010) to ask if she would assist me and she said yes. I went to sleep happy, healthy and free …waiting for all the gifts the next day would bring.

On Friday morning, I woke up to a closet full of bad outfit choices, so I decided to go to my office first, to pick up my favorite suit. This made me a little late! When  I arrived at Rutgers Paul Robeson Center, I was greeted by Councilwoman Mildred Crump’s voice in the air. I introduced myself to one of the greeters and she called me a “PANELIST” … Me,   a panelist…HOW EXCITING! I was then escorted into the main room to lay my eyes on 250 bright eyed young women (from local high schools) sitting quietly at round tables of which I have to mention had the most adorable centerpieces.

The day began with greetings and Pep talks by the interim Superintendent of Schools, Deborah Terrell and her staff. Immediately after, the workshops began. I reported to my workshop room not knowing what to expect. As I got to the door and peeked inside, my stomach dropped and I almost felt like a kid on the first day of class. I went inside & to be honest, had the time of my life. This is the stuff I was built for. We had the girls doing t-stands, half turns, full turns and combinations.

Immediately following the workshops was the most delicious lunch on the planet: sautéed chicken with raisin bread, squash and potatoes. Next, motivational speaker Caryl Lucas came to the podium to speak. Her speech focused on letting pain go. She shared her story about her drug addicted father who stabbed her mother - which nearly moved the entire audience to tears. She made all of us look in mirrors and deemed that we set affirmations for ourselves and know our worth. She walked about the entire room and gave a dramatic impact that had the audience laughing, crying and when all was said and done… left everyone feeling empowered, joyful, loved and filled with a zest for life.

I walked in this conference with a goal of teaching modeling to a group of teenagers. I walked out with a burning desire to take over the world! This conference helped me to enlist in an automatic connection/ sisterhood with women everywhere through gender and helped me to realize my self-worth. It opened my eyes to see that women are extremely POWERFUL – we birth generations. Women make the world go around. Through this experience, my existence felt validated & my self-confidence was boosted. This event provided the utmost spiritual enlightenment & excitement. I can’t imagine what next year’s conference will bring.

The Hon. Mildred Crump

Guest Speaker Caryl Lucas as she has a student look in the mirror & set affirmations.