As senior Kevin Garcia scored the game winning goal, he could not stop thinking about this being his last year participating in the school’s annual soccer tournament.

On Dec. 1, 12 students from Daniel Pearl Magnet High School played against Valley Academy Arts and Science (VAAS), Miller CTC and Adams High School. The four principals of these schools felt the need to have their own schools represented, so they made the decision to make a competition of their own.

“Last year, we put this together because none of these four schools had sports teams of their own,” Principal Deb Smith said.

The students left at 10:30 a.m. to play at VAAS and returned at 1:30 p.m.

“We are all extremely excited to have the opportunity to represent our own school,” Senior Erick Rebolledo said. “We’re small but we’re mighty.”  

All four schools played each other at least once during the tournament. Each game was 10-15 minutes long and then there was a switch of teams. DPMHS played their first game against VAAS and ended the tournament with a win in all three games.  

The principals at the schools plan to expand their collaboration with a basketball tournament win the spring semester.

“I think we’re going to play really well together,” said freshman Patrick Bullock. “We play at school together so the chemistry is definitely there.”