Grit and Focus Power Jesuit Defensive End

Being a high school athlete isn’t always easy. Juggling practice and games, schoolwork, family, friends and everything else takes focus; Jesuit High School senior defensive end David Bridges was more than up for the challenge this year.

Seniors Help Deliver Victory

Including David, Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon had 37 seniors on the football team roster, each of whom was determined not to repeat last year’s 42-41 loss to Tigard High School in the Oregon School Activities Association Class 6A football championship quarterfinals. Training hard in the summer and during the season, on the field and in the weight room, helped the Jesuit Crusaders win the sixth state football championship in the school’s history.

Balancing School, Sports and Family

On top of three AP classes, varsity sports and making plenty of time for his family, David has worked hard to make sure everything in his life gets the attention it deserves. When asked how he juggles it all, he said, “I wouldn’t say I have a secret, but I try to manage my time as much as I can. I definitely don’t get the recommended amount of sleep every night. I guess my secret is that whatever I am doing, I give my full attention to it. If I’m at football, I’m not trying to think about my homework or my test tomorrow. If I’m doing homework, I’m not checking Instagram or watching TV.”

That ability to focus served David and the rest of his team well all season: They entered the championship game against third seed West Linn with an undefeated 14-0 record. Nevertheless, late in the fourth quarter they were trailing 14-13. But a 2-yard touchdown with 1:13 left put them over the top, 21-14.

Victory is always sweet, but doubly so when it’s hard earned. David and the Crusaders did their school proud.

Les Schwab Tire Centers is a proud sponsor of the Oregon School Activities Association.

Hard Work and Teamwork, on the Field and Off

Felix Songolo, sophomore captain of the varsity boys’ soccer team at De La Salle North Catholic High School (shown here sporting his Knights jersey), has been playing soccer since he was five. The game runs in his family: His father, mother, older brother, younger twin brothers, and even his youngest brother, now five years old himself, all play. Felix says his first memory from childhood is of watching his older brother play soccer when their family still lived in Africa.

Felix and his family moved to the U.S. in 2005, fleeing conflict in their home country of Zambia. Throughout his time in a refugee camp and afterward in adjusting to life in America, Felix found a sense of community in playing soccer. Now, after overcoming difficult times, he refuses to let anything stand in his way. Even with a busy practice schedule, he plans to maintain his 4.0 GPA, graduate as the class valedictorian and go on to play college soccer.

“My parents sacrificed to move to America, and because of that, I don’t take the opportunity to get an education and play soccer for granted,” said Felix. “If my desire for success is greater than my fear of failure, then I will succeed.”

Felix credits soccer with helping him deal with challenges because it’s a team sport.

“I started school in the first grade, and it was tough because I did not have many friends other than my family,” Felix said. “Playing soccer during recess gave me a voice with the other kids and helped me create friendships and a deeper love for the game.”

As an intern at Oregon Health & Science University through the Corporate Work Study Program, Felix also gains experience, friendships and preparation for his dream of becoming a neurologist. He credits his parents as the force that helps him perform to the best of his abilities, as he says, “continuing to push me through thick and thin, placing their lives on hold for me and my siblings.”

We admire Felix for his hard work and teamwork, two values we can get behind.

Hockey Fans Toss 11,000 Teddy Bears for Charity

The ice at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum was quickly covered by 11,000 teddy bears just after the first goal during the Winterhawks match on December 1, 2018. Every stuffed animal was carefully collected, driven off the ice, and donated to local charitable organizations to be distributed to kids throughout the region. Partnering with the Winterhawks to celebrate and collect the bears for this 20-year-long tradition is a thrill for everyone involved.

As one of the pioneers of the Teddy Bear Toss, the Winterhawks organization deserves a lot of credit for making this a popular event at hockey arenas around the country. Congratulations to the Winterhawks for another successful Teddy Bear Toss and their 8-2 win that night.

Workshops at World of Speed Let Women Practice Car Care Hands-on

A lot of women customers have told Les Schwab Tire Centers they want to learn more about how to take care of their cars, so we offered three basic car care workshops for women this spring. We teamed up with World of Speed, an educational and interactive motorsports museum in Wilsonville, Ore., to host these events. The sessions were hosted by Les Schwab managers: Joe Rector, Jerry Lee, Kevin Leasure, Dorian Moore, Howard Magden, Gary Wanderscheid and Cam Durrell.

The World of Speed features historic racecars, boats and motorcycles that tell the story of motorsports culture. Through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, it offers visitors a behind-the-scenes view of the racing world; including drag racing, road racing, land speed racing, motorcycle racing, open wheel, NASCAR and hydroplanes.

The museum hosted an educational clinic for women to practice basic car care skills — some for the first time — and get answers to their questions. Even though the workshops were geared toward women, some participants also brought along the men in their lives.

At the session hosted by Dorian Moore and Kevin Leasure, a store vehicle served as the women’s guinea pig. Kevin and Dorian demonstrated how to change a spare tire and then had their students practice raising and lowering the car with the jack from the trunk. When it came time to remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench, Kevin and Dorian were invaluable references on how to get the easiest mechanical advantage out of the equipment.

The managers reassured the attendees of one crucial point: That if their tire went flat in an isolated area where there was no phone service, it is OK to “just drive on it.” As Kevin pointed out, “We can replace the tire or the rim, but not you!”

A total of 36 students attended the workshops. The participants came away with greater confidence and knowledge, as well as a complimentary tire pressure gauge and a penny to measure tread depth.

“We’ve had great feedback, so far, from the workshops,” said Lewis Ferguson, World of Speed’s director of education. “Not only is World of Speed proud to offer this program with Les Schwab, we’ve heard from participants that the class is very informative and they benefit from the hands-on demonstrations.”

World of Speed and Les Schwab Tire Centers plans to host a father-daughter car care course as another way to teach car care basics in a casual, comfortable environment.

Les Schwab Invitational: 20 years of Great Basketball

In December, the Les Schwab Invitational basketball tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary. According to a USA Today ranking based on talent level and attendance, the LSI is the No. 2 basketball tournament in the United States. John McCallum, president of Prime Time Sports, the tournament’s organizer, has been the director of the event since its inception and is one of its biggest champions.

“For a tournament to last that long and keep getting stronger says a lot about the Oregon fans who come out and appreciate grassroots basketball,” said McCallum.

Two legendary high school coaches, Barry Adams and Nick Robertson, began dreaming of what became the LSI in the 1990s. At that time, many of Oregon’s best high school boys’ basketball teams were already traveling out of state to play in preseason holiday tournaments. Although the players got to pit themselves against other high-caliber teams, most fans couldn’t travel to root for them.

In 1996, with approval from the Oregon School Activities Association and financial assistance from local sponsors, the Oregon Holiday Invitational was born. In 2000, the tournament was renamed to recognize Les Schwab Tire Centers’ continued support.

“Les Schwab has been a tremendous partner and was the perfect fit for lead sponsorship, given the company’s OSAA partnership, commitment to high school sports and dedication to making Oregon communities stronger,” McCallum said.

The LSI benefits schools and students beyond the teams competing because they receive free tournament passes worth $70. The kids can sell the passes and use the money to pay for athletic gear. In addition, clubs such as band and choir at Liberty High School, the home venue, run all concessions for the event and keep the money they earn.

For the 20th anniversary, the concourse at Liberty was full of photos of the players, some of whom have become NBA all-stars. Not surprisingly, McCallum’s favorite memories from his 20 years as director includes two of them: Kevin Love, who played for the Lake Oswego Lakers (and plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers); and Kyle Singler, who played for the South Medford Panthers (and plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder).

The two rivals and their teams met during the LSI on Dec. 29, 2006, in a rematch of their 2006 Oregon State Championship final. The defending state champion Lake Oswego Lakers battled the South Medford Panthers in front of the biggest crowd ever assembled at Liberty High School, a game televised by ESPN. The Panthers evened the score with the Lakers with their 71-63 victory.

The next day, in the final match against No. 1 Oak Hill Academy from Virginia, Kyle Singler brought a raucous crowd to its feet when he spun baseline on his defender and nailed a ferocious dunk to bring the game within 7 points, with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Though Oak Hill prevailed in the end, the match showed the LSI at its finest: Oregon high school basketball players putting themselves on the line against the best teams in the country and Oregon supporters behind them all the way.

Working with FFA Student Members to Fight Hunger

Every October, the student members of the FFA help collect as much food and funds as possible for the annual Drive Away Hunger Initiative (#DriveAwayHunger). Les Schwab stores across Oregon were able to take part in the campaign as a drop-off location for donations as well as a pick-up location for special collection bags.

This year’s initiative brought in 456,546 pounds of food. That’s enough to provide 342,420 meals to deserving families.

The Oregon Food Bank has seen a 40% increase in demand for emergency food boxes since 2008. That steady increase is why FFA student members work so hard every year to help collect food and funds. With their motto of “learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve,” the more than 6,500 Oregon FFA members are doing their part to end hunger. Their hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Les Schwab locations throughout Oregon look forward to helping again next year.

You can learn more about Oregon FFA at oregonffa.com.

Teammates Provide Competition and Camaraderie

People unfamiliar with cross-country may think it is strictly an individual sport, but a lot depends on teamwork. Though runners often race individually, the team scores points collectively, so it is important that everyone is running strong.

As a senior, Samantha Nizich ran cross-country at Central Catholic High School (Portland, Oregon) this year, and she is happy to encourage other potential runners, just as her role models encouraged her.

Motivation to Push Through

“It is not only at races that cross-country is a team sport but at practice too. It is sometimes hard to find motivation to get through workouts, but having teammates to push you makes it manageable and fun!”

Samantha credits Julia Green, her former “runner bud” and current Santa Clara University cross-country team member, with showing her how to be a successful team leader and determined runner, as well as a dedicated student.

“I have been lucky enough to have the best role model show me the way for my first three years of high school. Julia was always the one inviting me to join her on long runs or yelling at me to stick with her during a hard workout. Her drive has made me want to achieve more and be the best I can possibly be.”

This camaraderie extends to the larger team too. Her teammates are her favorite people and best friends, and there is no separation based on age or even skill.

Challenge Yourself and Your Team

After her experience at CCHS, she has some clear advice for beginners.

“Put on those Nikes and get goin’! My advice for new runners is to not be afraid to challenge yourself and others on the team by running up with them. Holding back not only hurts you and your times, but it does not force the experienced runners to fight for their spot. Also, try different race strategies. Get out faster one race and start conservative the next; this is the only way to figure out what works best for you.”

Although sports take up time, Samantha says she wouldn’t trade running for sleep, because she feels more focused after a good workout and even has time to think of essay topics for schoolwork while running! Aiming high pays off in more ways than one.

Les Schwab Tire Centers is a proud sponsor of the Oregon School Activities Association.

Setting Herself and Her Team up for Success

Rachel Thompson is a senior scholar-athlete and setter for the varsity volleyball team at Benson Polytechnic High School. As a setter, she has to take control and lead the team; the position is usually compared to that of a quarterback in football, requiring a person to communicate well and make decisions.

But Rachel isn’t just a team leader, she’s also a team player:

“Honestly, the best part of my day is coming to practice and playing with my girls,” Rachel said. “I love every single individual on my team. At this point we’re a family, and nothing could break that bond. Being able to see all of my sisters for those 2.5 hours of the day genuinely makes me happy and keeps me going. This team in is my blood. They may not know it, but they mean the world to me.”

The team’s grade point average is high, because nothing but the best is expected of them on and off of the court. Rachel says that playing on the volleyball team pushes her to rise above and makes her want to be the best player and person she can be.

In addition to prepping her homework and classwork ahead of time, so she can devote more of her attention to her sport when she competes, Rachel has one surprising strategy for getting her game on.

“When it comes to right before the game, I usually listen to music. My teammates don’t even know this, but my No. 1 pre-game song to listen to is the Prelude to Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. It’s so weird to listen to classical music to pump up, I know! But it helps calm me and keeps me focused on the game ahead.”

We can relate to a team that sets high standards for itself. Go, Techsters!

Les Schwab Tire Centers is a proud sponsor of the Oregon School Activities Association.

Raising Awareness with Pink Fridays

It’s exciting when you can support a great cause such as Susan G. Komen Oregon & SW Washington and the Race for the Cure®. Once again, Les Schwab employees in Oregon and SW Washington showed their support for breast cancer awareness with a bi-weekly September event called Pink Fridays.

Wearing pink polos on select Fridays in September was just one of the many ways we supported the cause. In addition, fundraisers were held all month long in stores throughout the region to help with the Treatment Access Program that provides patients with gas, food and lodging. We also held car washes to support the Susan G. Komen Latina Initiative.

“We are honored to have worked with Susan G. Komen Oregon & SW Washington over the past nine years to help people fight this terrible disease,” said Aaron Smithers, manager, Portland Powell Blvd.

The Race for the Cure® took place on Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. The event is expected to raise just over $700,000 for research, care, community, and action in the fight against breast cancer.

Les Schwab is honored to do what we can and bring as much attention and support to breast cancer awareness in the communities we serve and beyond.

Recognizing High School Sports Excellence

Les Schwab is proud to help recognize high school sports teams for their dedication and performance on and off the field. Already, top teams from 1A through 6A have been chosen for September, October, and November, with the rest of the 2018-2019 academic year to be named as nominations are compiled and winners announced by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA).

Teams that are chosen as the Les Schwab Tires Team of the Month receive a commemorative trophy along with a cash donation to the team’s program. Past winners, as well as the current nomination form, are available at the OSAA website.

Learn more about OSAA and its drive to ensure equitable competition throughout Oregon high schools.

Moving From the Sidelines to the Stands

In five years of coaching the Forest Grove boys soccer team, Coach Angelo Simonetti led his Vikings to a 40-30-11 record, four playoff appearances and the state quarterfinals in 2012. He hung up his whistle at the end of last season after his team had yet again qualified for the Class 6A playoffs. But he’s not leaving Forest Grove student-athletes in the lurch: He just needed more time to cheer his own three children on as they compete.

Simonetti has a 10-year-old son who plays football and basketball, a 12-year-old daughter whom he is readying for high school volleyball in two years, and an older son who as captain of the Tigard High School soccer team led his squad, the Tigers, to the state playoffs his senior year. In fact, the Vikings beat the Tigers narrowly, 3-2, in what turned out to be the final season for both the father and son.

But as the coach told The Oregonian last fall, “I’m going to be there and watch games and always cheer for the kids. Forest Grove is my family. You don’t have an ex-family.”

Vikings athletic director Doug Thompson was clear about his requirements for Simonetti’s replacement.

“I really need the next coach to understand that it’s not just about winning soccer games, it’s about developing kids and making sure they graduate and making sure they’re making a positive contribution in the community. We really had a change during his tenure with that,” said Thompson.

The new coach will have big shoes to fill. Thanks for setting the pace, Coach Simonetti, as a role model and a fan!

Les Schwab Tire Centers is a proud sponsor of the Oregon School Activities Association.

Rip City 3-on-3 Breaks Down Competitive Barriers

Research has shown that attitudes toward those different than us quickly break down through interaction; we better understand and empathize with others perceived as different than us by identifying shared passions.

It is with this research in mind that the 2016 Rip City 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Portland’s premier amateur hoops event, will feature a Unified Sports Division for the first time. The Unified Sports Division is just one of six competitive divisions, but it’s the only one that integrates athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams. The tournament will be held at Portland’s Rose Quarter Campus on July 30 and 31.

“This is a chance for our participants to show what they are capable of,” said Torre Chisholm, Chief Development Officer of Special Olympics Oregon. “It allows non-disabled players to develop an understanding of people with disabilities; it’s amazing for building commonality.”

The tournament also features a Special Olympics Division, as well as others devoted to youth (boys and girls), high school (boys and girls), adult (men, women and mixed teams) and elite (men and women).

This year marks the third year that Special Olympics Oregon has partnered with the Portland Trail Blazers and Les Schwab Tire Centers to put on the Rip City 3-on-3, which has raised more than $50,000 for the Special Olympics.

The funding helps support Special Olympics Oregon, which puts on 30 regional competitions across 15 sports throughout the year— — that’s in addition to organizing practices across the state nearly every day.

Last year’s tournament featured 16 Special Olympics teams, but Chisholm is hopeful that the new Unified Sports Division will bring even more intellectually disabled athletes into the fold. “While we have 13,000 who currently participate in Special Olympics Oregon, there are as many as 100,000 statewide with intellectual disabilities.”

In addition to the scheduled games, the tournament will also feature plenty to keep noncompetitors entertained, including a slam dunk contest, an interactive games area and various vendor booths.

Les Schwab Tire Centers has been a proud partner of the Rip City 3-on-3 Tournament since 2014 and is proud to be the presenting partner this year. For more information on the tournament or to register as a competitor, please visit the official Rip City 3-on-3 website.