[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 199 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE GUADALUPE CENTERS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER 
                                  TEAM

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the victory 
of the Guadalupe Centers Charter High School Boys soccer team. This 
victory establishes the team as Missouri's Class 2 Champions--the first 
championship title in school and program history. The achievement of 
such a title undoubtedly required strong leadership matched with 
unparalleled levels of passion and dedication. I am proud to represent 
the exemplary work of athletes like these in Missouri's Fifth 
Congressional District.
  Not only did they finish this season with a winning 22-2 record, the 
team--comprised of first or second-generation Americans--demonstrates a 
uniquely American story of hard work, diversity, sacrifice, and 
perseverance. Embracing both their differences and their similarities, 
this united identity gave the team a unique sense of purpose and 
comradery that eventually led them down the path to victory. For many, 
the struggles along the path to this achievement were symbolic of the 
sacrifices many of their parents and loved ones made for them to have 
this opportunity.
  Under the direction of head coach, Ricky Olivares, the Guadalupe 
Center Aztecs made their first tournament appearance in school history. 
They eventually reached the state final by beating Southern Boone High 
School 2-0 with sophomore Luckyboy Tarley scoring both goals in the 
shutout. On November 23, 2019, Guadalupe Centers High School went head-
to-head with St. Louis Priory School. In a tense game, senior leader 
David Portillo scored three of the four goals, Tarley scoring the 
other. With the support of freshman goalkeeper Henry Godinez and the 
rest of the team, the Aztecs pulled off a 4-3 win over the four-time 
state champions, Priory.
  It is my pleasure to congratulate each of the vitally important team 
members that helped Guadalupe Centers Charter High School claim this 
title, and I encourage each player to continue challenging themselves 
to pursue all that they do with the same passion and tenacity displayed 
in this historic season.
  Madam Speaker, please join with Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District in celebrating the victories of the Guadalupe Centers Aztecs, 
and I encourage my fellow citizens and constituents to unite together 
under the same spirit of perseverance, collaboration, and hard work 
that led this remarkable team to their monumental victory.

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