Hoover and Garfield Elementary Students Attend Sounders Game

Two Yakima School District elementary schools recently gave their students an amazing experience through a partnership with the Seattle Sounders RAVE Foundation. Over 100 of our students from Hoover Elementary School and Garfield Elementary School attended the Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy match at Lumen Field on Saturday, September 13.

For many students, this was their first trip to Seattle and their first professional sporting event. The day created lasting memories filled with excitement and pride.

 

The partnership between Yakima School District and the RAVE Foundation reflects their commitment to supporting local students. Each school received tickets to the match, with priority given to students in their Soccer for Success programs. This trip celebrated their participation in soccer while connecting them to the professional Sounders community.

"Opportunities like this connect our students to the wider community and show them what's possible beyond the classroom," shared Julio Sanchez, Principal of Hoover Elementary.

School staff worked hard to organize the trips and make sure students had a great time.

Thank you to the RAVE Foundation for creating these special opportunities for our Hoover and Garfield Elementary students.

About the RAVE Foundation
RAVE Foundation, the official charitable arm of Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, has been a steadfast partner of the Yakima School District. Their mission is to remove barriers to participation in soccer and to use play as a vehicle for community building, which aligns directly with our district’s commitments.

Their work in Yakima has provided multiple free, safe mini-pitch soccer fields on district campuses. These spaces are open during the school day for physical education and recess and are accessible to families and the broader community after hours. In addition to infrastructure, RAVE has embedded inclusive play practices, introduced environmental partnerships through EarthGen, and created opportunities for Yakima students to attend Seattle Sounders FC matches, often a first trip to a major city for many of our children.

This combination of sustained service, systemic change, and engagement of marginalized youth highlights Yakima as a model for how public schools and nonprofit partners can work together to remove barriers to sports and belonging.

The Yakima School District thanks our Board of Directors for its ongoing support of strategic partnerships that advance equity, health, and community connection. 

This story aligns with Goal 2 of our Strategic Plan: all students will develop habits and behaviors that elevate student voice, resilience, and personal ownership in a safe, caring, and supportive environment. To learn more about our strategic plan, visit ysd7.org/strategicplan.