Midshipmen from the Naval Academy Latin American Studies Club supported a soccer tournament for youth at risk for gang involvement Oct. 15 at the U.S. Naval Academy.
The tournament was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, an organization dedicated to decreasing gang activity among youth in the Northern Virginia region.
During the tournament, the midshipmen served in support roles such as game referees, score keepers and medical assistants.
“I wanted to participate in this event to help these kids take advantage of a positive experience as a team,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Josue Ramos-Calvario. “They learn the importance of teamwork in soccer as well as in any job in the real world. Nobody can get anything done by carrying the load alone.”
As one of the referees, Ramos-Calvario did not limit himself to simply enforcing safety rules. He also interacted with the players.
“I took some time to talk to the teams and let them know what they can do to improve their team,” he said. “I tried to treat them like mature soccer players, letting them know that they are no different than I was when I was their age.”
Midshipman 2nd Class Ciardi Gleen, originally from Belize, also participated in the event and has been a member of LASC since his plebe year.
“I joined the club because it seemed a great opportunity to keep up with my cultural background as a foreign national,” said Gleen. “Growing up, soccer was a big part of me and my family. That’s why I understand where some of these kids come from and why they love this sport so much. For some, soccer is just a way to deal with stress.”
The soccer tournament not only encourages youth to stay away from drugs and gangs but also allows midshipmen to meet people from other nationalities and engage in extracurricular activities, said Gleen.
“This event on a larger scale can be compared to a humanitarian assistance mission,” he said. “Dealing with people from different countries is an asset as an officer, as you learn how to communicate with others more effectively.”
The Naval Academy’s Latin American Studies Club is an extra-curricular activity that provides opportunities for midshipmen to cultivate an appreciation and learn more about the growing Hispanic and Latino community across the U.S. and the fleet.
