Robert E. Lee football players team up to encourage Douglas Elementary students

Published 1:50 am Tuesday, May 23, 2017

The Robert E. Lee High School football team added a few hundred, much smaller players on Friday as the team took the field at Douglas Elementary School.

The team and other seniors made good on a promise they had given to Douglas students with a special sports day to celebrate their hard work.

Fourth grade teacher Roslyn Jones noticed her students were unusually focused whenever she spoke about her son Royland Black’s football games, so she found a way to incentivize the students to try their hardest.

“I told my students, if they focus and do their best on their assignments, I would get them to come,” Mrs. Jones said.

Royland was more than happy to help the teachers who had become family to him over the years. While his mother coordinated with the teachers, he worked with the team to set up visits for the students.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to where I went to school,” he said.

Throughout the year, the team visited with students and even surprised the school with a pep rally to encourage students to do their best.

“I had a student who passed his first test all year tell me that he did for Royland,” Mrs. Jones said.

As students were preparing for mid-year benchmark tests, teachers were surprised to find the football team had recorded videos for the students to get them ready for the tests.

Many of the players talked to students about their days in elementary at Douglas.

“We’re trying to reward them for doing good on their tests, it works really well,” senior Luis Sanchez said. “They keep their heads up. It feels great; I haven’t been back here in years.”

Mattea Vlas said she worked hard all year so that she and her classmates could have a sports day with the football team and other seniors.

“I like it because it gives the kids the opportunity to free themselves. I love seeing them smiling and having fun,” Miss Vlas said. “It’s because usually the reason I try my best is to get this opportunity, so I tried my best to do good on the STAAR.”

Royland said the response from the younger students was so great that he is working to ensure the event continues after he graduates.

“We’re trying to make this an annual thing and hope it comes back year after year,” he said. “We want to show them that, as older kids, we really care about the younger ones.”

Twitter: @TMT_Cory