El Paso Herald-Post El Paso News & Opinion
Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School cheerleaders will be wearing new uniforms thanks to The Justin J. Watt Foundation, spearheaded by J.J. Watt, the Houston Texans’ star defensive end.
Sanchez Middle School received more than $3,500 from No. 99’s foundation, which provides funds for after-school athletics for middle-school-aged children. The hope is that students will learn about accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic and perseverance in a safe and supervised environment.
“We are so grateful and very excited for the donation by Mr. Watt’s foundation,” said Sanchez Principal Rosy Vega-Barrio. “The old uniforms have been at the school for years. We wouldn’t have had new uniforms without the donation. It’s wonderful that they are getting a new look. Cheerleaders are representatives of our school and the voice.”
Sanchez Middle School will receive 36 new cheerleading uniforms for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. The school should receive them in a couple of weeks, Vega-Barrio said.
School administrators were proud that the high-profile Texas athlete could make a difference for their school. They learned about the donation through a letter written and signed by Watt’s mom, Connie L. Watt, who helps run the foundation.
In the letter, she thanked Sanchez Middle School’s leadership team for what they do to help students and said they are eager to see the impact the uniforms will have on the lives of the children.
JJ’s motto “Dream Big Work Hard” is another motivation behind the foundations vision. He encourages students to dream big and then put in the work to achieve those dreams.
“We are so happy that this will give us an opportunity to talk to our kids about Mr. Watt and his foundation, so they will know how important it is to give back,” Vega-Barrio said.
