Gilroy
– Gilroy’s newest middle school is asking for donations to help
buy uniforms for its fledgling sports teams.
Ascencion Solorsano Middle School, which opened to sixth graders
last year and this year has seventh graders as well, is holding a
barbecue and silent auction/raffle on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24
and 25.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – Gilroy’s newest middle school is asking for donations to help buy uniforms for its fledgling sports teams.
Ascencion Solorsano Middle School, which opened to sixth graders last year and this year has seventh graders as well, is holding a barbecue and silent auction/raffle on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25. Both events will help raise money to buy uniforms for students participating in six sports throughout the year.
“This is sort of a two-year project that we hope is successful to raise money for those interscholastic athletic uniforms,” said Sal Tomasello, principal. “The school district didn’t provide any money up front for the … uniforms.”
The school plans to host an event for more uniforms next year, as well, when students move into eighth grade and enter a different competition level.
Solorsano did not have any competitive athletic teams last year, when only sixth-graders attended the school, although it did have after-school introductory training sessions lasting three to four weeks in three activities.
The barbecue starts Friday evening, Sept. 24, at 5 and ends at 8. Meals may be purchased in advance, or at the door for $1 more. Hot dog meals bought in advance are $3 and hamburger meals are $4. Contact the school for an order form, due Sept. 17, or print one from Solorsano’s new Web site. Ice cream and coffee also will be available, for an additional charge.
The silent auction will kick off that Friday night and bidding will close at 11am Saturday, Tomasello said.
Solorsano parent Debbie Gjerde is spearheading the effort to collect donations – including goods, services or money – for the silent auction and raffle. The school is looking for businesses who can offer their services, or for parents to donate things like event tickets, dinner gift certificates, or other activities that parents and kids would enjoy.
Gjerde said she already has collected quite a few smaller gift certificates, and would love to have some larger items.
Solorsano students this year may participate in cross-country, whose four teams are currently practicing. Boys wrestling and girls basketball start in mid-October, the boys basketball season is the first two months of 2005, and boys and girls soccer and volleyball will be held February through March, with track and field closing out the year.
Visit Ascencion Solorsano’s Web site at: http://asms.objectis.net/.
Lori Stuenkel covers education for the Gilroy Dispatch. She can be reached at 847-7158 or ls*******@gi************.com.
