Every Wednesday during lunch, freshman Zeike Palacios joins other members of the Soccer Club. Some to have fun and others who seek to improve their soccer skills.

“I just wanted to try it out,” said Palacios, who has been interested in soccer for many years and joined to find out how well he can play. “To see what my skills are really.” 

Every Wednesday, the Soccer Club meets in the front grove where the goals are set up and sports equipment is available for students interested in playing. It allows the members to spend their time playing with friends or just spectate the games, like senior Axel Aleman, a Soccer Club member. 

“We used to have this thing where we see who played the best,” said Aleman, who is one of the people who votes for the MVP of the week. “Who had the best sportsmanship and who pretty much brought the best vibes to the game.” 

Due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, members of the Soccer Club were unable to play outside. During the meetings, they organize teams to play soccer, which is, according to Club President Aiden Pratt, nothing formal. For the rest of the time during lunch, club members have the opportunity to play and have fun. He wanted an environment where people could have a fun, competitive space to play soccer.

“Really, what motivated me was to organize playing soccer easier,” Pratt said. “Mainly because we didn’t really have the way to organize teams and make it seem competitive. It was too casual, and, I’d say, we couldn’t have fun. The club was a great way to help kids get a little bit more active and involved in it.” 

As the audience in the club is very diverse, everyone found a place for themselves there. The president of the club inspires them to participate. 

“It’s actually fun,” Pratt said. “It helps people to have the ability to socialize better and to also not just exercise, play sport. But also help the community of Daniel Pearl (Magnet High School) a little bit better.”