Page 62 August 2013 ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE Organization planning AHS football tailgate parties By Danika Worthington Come football season, an Arcadia intersection will be covered with red and blue as Arcadia High School fans rally before the game. Classroom Teachers Assistance Fund and Arcadia YoungLife are combining efforts to host tailgate parties for Arcadia football home games at the Lafayette Street and Arcadia Road intersection starting Sept 6. YoungLife is a nationwide Christian organization that focuses on a teenager’s high school experience, according to a press release. Classroom Teachers Assistance Fund is a metro Phoenix organization that reimburses public school teachers for out- of-pocket school expenses. “This is an opportunity to bring families and younger siblings and even alumni back to participate, YoungLife alumni, as well as Arcadia alumni, to participate in a couple hours of good family, alcohol-free, controlled, managed fun prior to the game,” said Don Kile, founder and president of Classroom Teachers Assistance Fund, who devised the idea. The tailgates will be in Kile’s front yard and attendees can walk or drive to the game, he said. Arcadia High School senior and YoungLife member Will McClelland, 17, said he will likely attend the tailgates with his mother and younger brother. “I think it’s a good idea; just anything to get more kids out to the games,” McClelland said. “I know all the football players really appreciate it when we have a big fan base, a big student section.” Besides gathering community members together, the series also will raise money for both YoungLife and the Classroom Teachers Assistance Fund. The tailgate parties will be funded through donations. Kile said his family has been involved in YoungLife for 65 years. Kile, his father and his daughter Kennedy, who graduated from Arcadia this year, were all involved in YoungLife. He expects his son, who will be starting Arcadia in the fall, also will be a part of YoungLife. “I’m close to the YoungLife organization,” Kile said. “I understand their funding requirements and (as) competition for nonprofit contribution and donation dollars heats up in the world, there are organizations that need the additional fundraising.” Arcadia YoungLife Direct Missions head Kathy Mason said she was thankful for the tailgate series. The Arcadia group is known for never refusing to let someone attend an event, like a camping trip, because of financial reasons, Mason said. YoungLife members host garage sales and car washes throughout the year to accomplish this, Mason said. Arcadia junior Hanna Collins, 16, said she was excited for the series and YoungLife’s involvement. “(YoungLife is) something that people know they are always welcome to come to. It’s something that’s actually not segregated like most things at Arcadia are,” Collins said. Although Arcadia High School hosted barbecues or tailgates before home games, Collins said sometimes events were planned at the last minute. “The idea about high school activities being the center of kids’ life and then football being the ideal nucleus around all of that is really a great place for these kids to come together,” Kile said. Arcadia Titans Varsity 2013 football schedule August 30 at Copper Canyon September 6 vs. Shadow Mountain September 12 vs. Camelback September 20 at Maricopa September 27 vs. North Canyon (Homecoming) October 4 at Paradise Valley October 11 vs. Chaparral October 18 vs. Notre Dame (Senior Night) October 25 at Independence November 1 at Cactus Shadows AKF Black Belt Academy 4041 E Thomas Rd • Ste 108 • akfblackbeltacademy.com 4041 E T 4041 E T FOCUS Self Development • Creativity • Respect Emergency Preparedness • Condence Responsibility • Balance • Integrity Self Discipline • Values • Loyalty Leadership • Knowledge • FOCUS First Aid • Motivation • Fitness Self Esteem • Courage • Goals Persistence • Attitude... and more! The six tenets of Kyuki-do (Courtesy, Humility, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit) are the foundation on which we build. Our program gives children (and adults!) the tools necessary to live a healthy and happy life through the following pursuits: call now for a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL 602-955-1030 our swim programs are internationally-recognized stop in and find out why! FREE BABY SPLASH 8 wks - 5 mos LITTLE SNAPPERS 6 mos - 35 mos GROUP LESSONS 3 yrs - 12 yrs SPLASH, PLAY & LEARN the Hubbard way! HUBBARDSWIM.COM 602.971.4044