Castlemont High School in East Oakland hosts an LA football team on Saturday. But before they take on the field, they teamed up for a day of community service on Friday at nearby East Oakland Pride Elementary School.
The kids were excited to see players like Castlemont senior wide receiver Ellijah Washington, who accepted a full athletic football scholarship to attend and play at Oregon State next year.
“You can go to Castlemont or you can go anywhere, as long as you have the right habits, the right attitude and the right focus, you can achieve anything you want,” Washington said.
That’s the message Washington and his teammates shared with the elementary school students. Athletes from Castlemont and LA’s Dorsey High School played with the kids and shared their stories about growing up in the inner cities.
“A lot of kids don’t get the opportunity to have a big brother, a dad or just a role model in general. So it’s important to me and I feel like it’s part of my duty and job while I’m here to show people that ‘hey, you have someone in your community that comes from the same environment as you and that cares about you,'” Washington said.
Castlemont is located deep in East Oakland, in an area that has more murders and shootings than any other part of the city.
But the players said you don’t have to be a superstar like Stephen Curry to make a difference; anyone can improve the community.
“It makes me want to play even more. I’m not just playing for myself tomorrow, I’m playing for all of Oakland,” said Castlemont senior Jaymes Evans, who plays wide receiver, safety and corner on the team.
Oakland Athletic League Commissioner Franky Navarro and his LA counterpart came up with the idea. Last year was the first time Castlemont played Dorsey in Southern California and both teams visited an elementary school for the game.
“It’s important that they are a positive light in our community and have the opportunity to become someone that the younger generation can look up to,” Navarro said.
“It’s a leadership exercise, right? Because ultimately, these young men go out into our community and become leaders and they go out into the world and become leaders,” said Edward Washington, the head coach of the Castlemont High football team and Elijah’s father.
Both teams also had dinner together and participated in a workshop on life lessons and emotional intelligence.
Coaches and league officials said the goal was for both teams to emerge victorious regardless of the final score.
“I’m so happy. It’s unbelievable. I’m proud of him,” Coach Washington said, speaking of his son.
“Even though our circumstances may not be what we could be, know that you can always succeed,” the younger Washington said.
The game starts at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Castlemont. Tailgating begins at 9:30 a.m. The coaches are asking people in East Oakland to come out and cheer them on.
Da Lin
