‘Kicks for Kenya’ Raises Money for Great Cause

The inaugural Kicks for Kenya soccer tournament took place Oct. 10 just a few hours before the Friday Night Lights football game. 

The competitive yet fun tournament — which boasted seven student teams and more than 40 participants in all — raised $400 for the Green Belt Movement, an environmental group based in Kenya. The nonprofit non-governmental organization (NGO) empowers communities, particularly women, to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods. Founded in 1977 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, the organization started because Kenyan women reported that their streams were drying up, their food supply was less reliable, and they had to walk farther just to collect firewood. It now works to help such communities by planting trees to protect the soil, store rainwater, and provide food and firewood. 

The Proper Ballers — seniors Daniel Pratt, Hattie DiBattista, Caroline Snyder, Sean Coogan, and Max Hong — earned bragging rights as the tournament’s winning team. All teams were gender-inclusive with a limit of three varsity players per team. Games lasted 10 minutes with two five-minute halves.

“It went amazing,” said Cathy Macharia ’28, who organized the event along with Cailyn Hsu ’26. “Everything went super smoothly — especially for our first year.” 

Macharia thanked the many volunteers who, among other duties, helped to referee games, work the food stand, or prepare the fields. Student volunteers included: Zinaya West ’28, Ari Chery-Gonzalez ’28, Janessa Horner-Barbosa ’27, Isabella Wright ’29, and Mary Keleher ’26. Director of Global Engagement Kimberly Gilmore and Associate Director of Athletics Brad Peterson ’11 helped to plan the event with the further assistance of Upper School Math & Computer Science Faculty Leanne Dillman, Upper School English Faculty Abigail Offei-Addo, Upper School World Languages Faculty Isabel Knudson, and Manager of Auxiliary Services Ian Wheeler. 

“Whether you played, volunteered, cheered, or worked behind the scenes,” said Macharia, “we couldn’t have done it without you. We can’t wait to do it again next year.”