Pitman High School was bursting with community joy and celebration this past Saturday in honor of Turlock’s hometown hero Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
“Turlock Believes” gathered members of the community filling the high school parking lot with 49er gear, enthusiasm and of course their barbeques. Enjoying the company of their friends and family the campus was covered in booths, including Pitman High clubs, local businesses, radio stations and organizations each with a different activity or message to spread, all in support of Kaepernick leading the Niners to the Super Bowl last Sunday.
The event was brought together by the Turlock Education Foundation, which is a non-profit, community organization that has been around for about one year. The Turlock Education Foundation’s mission is to support the education of students of the Turlock Unified School district by providing funds for school initiatives, hoping to enhance students’ education experience.
Barney Gordon, Turlock Education Foundation President, explained how this event was put together within 13 days. It all started two weeks ago as Gordon watched the niners win in the game that decided their Super Bowl fate, he immediately got in touch with the other board members and said ”Wow, did you see that game?!” and they knew that this was the opportunity to bring the community together. And it really was, everything from the drapes to the banners was donated by the community.
“Party for the community, by the community,” Gordon said.
California State University, Stanislaus student Caroline Martins (senior, Mathematics) was volunteering at a booth helping children make football themed crafts. Working for the City of Turlock doing after school programs at Crowell elementary, Martins was enthusiastic about the event.
“We’re here to support Colin and bring the community together,” Martins said.
Enthusiasm and positivity are two words that described this event perfectly. “Doctor Blue and Bad medicine” who often perform at Al’s Billiards in Turlock, enjoyed singing niners themed songs in the parking lot. Their song “Let the Niners Roll” had the attention of the people tailgating around them in enjoyment.
Pitman High School senior, Michael Montalvo was enjoying his everyday school turned into a community festival.
“I love how community came together to bond and share this experience” Montalvo said.
Montalvo and his father had purchased a poster of Kaepernick they got in hopes of getting it signed by the athlete one day.
An organization from CSU Stanislaus “Promise Scholars” was also at Turlock Believes to support the community and spread the word to help former foster youth be successful in college.
“Our organization was invited to the event, since Kaepernick was adopted we just want to bring awareness and shine a light on this issue” David Hernandez (senior, Psychology) said.
Hernandez, who was wearing a 49ers jersey, explained how Kaepernick’s jersey was the first jersey he wanted to buy because of his respect for the athlete and his upbringing.
Colin Kaepernick as an example of being adopted and accomplishing so much, is an inspiration to many.
“It doesn’t matter if you are in the system, you can do great things,” Eric Meneses (senior, Criminal Justice).
The hopes of bringing the community together in a positive way to celebrate and honor Colin Kaepernick was definitely met thanks to Barney Gordon and the Turlock Education Foundation. All the hard work from each vendor and volunteer supporting Kaepernick and the niners in the Super Bowl made it a special day for the city of Turlock.