The warm, muggy Thursday evening of September 21, 2023, before thousands at Robert & Glenda Lehnhoff Stadium, will be an unforgettable moment etched in the memory of Elijah Flores. As the senior at Samuel Clemens High School lined up to attempt a twenty yard field goal, worth a potential $2,000, he considered the launch angle and envisioned the precise form he would need to get the football over the crossbar and between the uprights.
“I took a breath, listened around, and then just focused on taking my steps and then just on the ball,” Flores said. “Right before I kicked, I was like, ‘let me just remember the techniques my coach (Clemens HS soccer coach Myles Salas) taught me.’ I didn’t really know how to kick a football,”
Little did he know the successful kick would not only change the trajectory of his collegiate or career prospects, but also that of the SCUC Education Foundation, venturing out into student scholarships for the first time in its 15-year existence with the ingenious “One Community Scholarship Nights.”
Under this program, one student from either Clemens or Byron P. Steele High School was chosen at random whenever their school hosted a game. Each participant would get two field goal attempts, the first from the twenty yards out, and if unsuccessful, another try from the thirteen yards, for that $2,000 scholarship. One student from both high schools took part during the Battle of 3009, the game of the regular season.
“We were nervous and all lined up along the sideline,” said Deanna Jackson, SCUC Director of Communications & Community Engagement as well as district liaison for the Foundation.
Individually and collectively, the Education Foundation board felt anxiety, wondering if the seven-week campaign would be too challenging to master, and thus dampen enthusiasm for the promotion. “Once Elijah made that kick, we all had a second where we were stunned. Then we took off running because we realized WE did it. Not just Elijah, but the Education Foundation did it.”
Moments after the kick cleared the threshold, Jackson and her Education Foundation colleagues ran out to mob Elijah. Only she turned her ankle in the jubilant chaos, a hazard of the job she dutifully accepted. “That made it feel like this community was behind this kid,” she said, adding, “And his facial expression. It was a priceless moment.”
More triumphs would be on the horizon. Connor Gobin, senior at Clemens HS, practiced for weeks on his own leading up to his October 19th kick during the Buffs game with New Braunfels. He would set a goal to hit ten in a row from the designated twenty yard spot. He also consulted with two kicking specialists on the varsity football team, Ethan Brumgard and Kaden Turner, for tips.
“They were saying ‘Get your leg up and kick it on the lower half of the ball so you get the most air on the ball and more verticality on it,’” Gobin said. “I was determined to get that money.” The funds will alleviate the burden on his mother, since she will be also paying the tuition for Connor’s twin sister. “I’m super grateful to be the recipient and it changed a lot. It’s important for the college journey.”
Even students with two consecutive unsuccessful attempts were considered winners, since everyone who partook in the event was guaranteed a $500 scholarship. Flores, Gobin and two other SCUC students ended up with the $2,000 scholarships; the remaining four competitors finished with the healthy consolation.
In its second year of reestablishment, the SCUC Education Foundation actively sought innovative ways to expand its scholarship opportunities to coincide with the influx of new members, eager to inject fresh ideas into the organization. Board members who attended the Texas Education Foundation Network conference in April received inspiration from sessions that discussed connecting with alumni and creating events that returns the funds raised to students.
“We were in a session that emphasized making sure fundraising events would be unique to your school district and would resonate with the uniqueness of your community,” Jackson said. Foundation board member Mitzi Delgado heard about the idea of having students kick for scholarship money, while Jackson and Madeline Riney, VP of Events for the Foundation, together wrapped the concept around “The Battle of 3009,” the friendly competition in all sports between Samuels Clemens and Steele High School.
H-E-B surprised the Foundation with $10,000 at the opening of its Cibolo location. Those funds would eventually be used to underwrite the scholarships. Seven more local businesses generously underwrote the event expenses necessary to make the vision a reality: Affinity Family Care Clinic, Carla Barnes, LPC & Brandi Martin, LPC Counseling Services, Constable Jeffrey Large, Guadalupe County Precinct 3, Delgado Realty Group, First United Bank, Schertz Bank & Trust, and Whataburger.
Not only was the money well spent to assist in the furthering the advancement of student learning after high school, but it opened new pathways of support for education and increased visibility for their businesses.
“That’s a group you don’t get in front of as far as the kids and the parents and it’s a huge crowd,” said Summer Robledo, Spend Wisely Ambassador at First United Bank and board member with the Education Foundation. “We saw customers that would walk in and go,’Oh my gosh! I didn’t know the bank supported this.’”
That muggy Thursday evening in September would illuminate the surroundings with the warm glow of success under the twilight, not only for Elijah Flores but also for seven more students whose chances for success after high school will be significantly improved. Having already been accepted in the engineering programs at various universities, including Texas and Texas A&M, Elijah is thankful for the Education Foundation’s largesse. “I was able to demonstrate that as a person who doesn’t play football, it was actually possible to win the $2,000,” he said. “It showed the other students that ‘Hey, maybe I also have a chance for this, too.’”
“It’s been amazing ever since,” Jackson admits. “The Foundation hit its stride in that moment. We’re forging ahead stronger than ever, feeling full of hope and seeing nothing but opportunity on the horizon to give back even more to our students and staff.”