By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
The sounds of excited students and staff could be heard on the Chief Leschi Schools campus the morning of Sept. 20 as a mini soccer pitch was officially opened for student use.
In partnership with the Seattle Sounders RAVE Foundation and FIFA World Cup 26 Seattle, the mini-pitch was the 23rd installed around the state by the RAVE Foundation.
Heritage Division Manager Connie McCloud delivered a blessing and prayer for the mini-pitch before Puyallup Tribal Council and RAVE Foundation and FIFA leadership spoke to Chief Leschi students.
Chief Leschi student and Puyallup Senior Princess Cecilia Dillon also delivered a traditional welcoming.
Sharing comments to the crowd of students were representatives from the CLS School Board, CLS administration and CLS ASB.
CLS senior and ASB member Joey Earl took the ceremonial first shot on goal, and it was also announced every student at CLS would be receiving a soccer ball from the RAVE Foundation after school that day.
Here is an excerpt of what each Tribal Council Member said.
Chairman Bill Sterud
“This mini-pitch is perfect for our youth to be engaged in the game of soccer and develop a love of the sport. The mini-pitch is a commitment of the Puyallup Tribe and our partners, the Sounders, to engage our youth in a timeless and world-recognized sport. Another partner and supporter of youth soccer is the RAVE Foundation who put time, energy and money into this, and we thank you. Our Chief Leschi School Board added soccer to the competitive sports options for our youth. It is our hope it will inspire young athletes.”
Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller
“I just want to say this is a golden opportunity. … All of our ancestors really would be proud of us today. This ground was taken from us and we got these lands back. … Respect these grounds always. Leave them better than when you came into these grounds. … We fought hard to get this school for you guys – every single thing – and to have a partnership like this with RAVE and with the World Cup, it’s very important you remember it your whole life and pass it down to your children. … I just want you guys to know that we do this all for you, each and every one of you. You do it for the future and the next that’s yet to come.”
Councilman James Rideout
“When I came here this morning I thought about my own son who came here and didn’t even have a football field. … As leaders of your Council, we think about you. We think about what’s in the best interest for you and your future. It doesn’t come easy because it’s a huge responsibility of planning, fiscal responsibility, budgets, all these things, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have an opportunity and a platform to utilize. A safe, sound and secure future with different avenues. … We went to the same school – Chief Leschi – with so many limited resources. It’s an honor to be a leader amongst all of you and to give you everything of ourselves, everything of our being so you can have a great day each and every day.”
Councilman Fred Dillon
“I want to raise my hands to everybody that’s been involved in making this possible. Some of us came here to Chief Leschi back when all we had was basketball. I’m just trying to get all of you kids to wrap your head around what you guys have today. … We used to play on a concrete basketball court. Look at what Chief Leschi is today – a baseball team, football team, track. You guys are truly blessed and I hope you understand and realize all the opportunities we have today. … It’s always our goal to make sure we leave something for the future. … It’s overwhelming me with joy and happiness that we have the opportunity to do this.
A full video of the grand opening can be found below
