Leaders are born, not made. Look at any schoolyard
By Dalia Díaz
Sometimes, living conditions don’t reflect the dreams and aspirations of children. They tend to dream in silence, especially when they are old enough to realize that their families cannot afford to make them possible.
Most often, they just want to join the football team in their school and even that is unattainable due to its cost. That was the story of José Santiago, who grew up in the Stadium Projects in Lawrence and his family could not afford the $75 joining fee. His father wanted him to play baseball because it was within their means. But football was his passion and he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
José grew up, became a police officer in the City of Methuen, and had children of his own. When they were old enough, he started teaching them his love for the game and soon became their trainer. Then, in 2020, when children needed it most, he and his friend James Reynolds created the League Merrimack Valley Spartans.
Today, the Spartans have more than 170 children in 5 football teams from 5 to 14 years of age and 3 cheerleading teams. They come from Methuen, Lawrence, Haverhill, and Andover and belong to several nationalities and language groups.
José is very proud that the most important part of their meetings is what they learn from the adults: manners, behavior, getting along with others, respect, and responsibility. They are made to feel important by placing them first in everything. If they have a banquet, the members eat first, then the adults.
In such a short time, they have received support from the Essex County Foundation, The Andona Foundation in Andover, and Commonwealth Motors with Charles Daher, Jr. volunteering as a trainer for his own children and their games take place at Greater Lawrence Technical School four days each week during the summer months.
José is well-known in Methuen because he was named Community Liaison at the Police Department and he’s now living a dream by guiding this generation to love the sport that he adores.
Sometimes, living conditions don’t reflect the dreams and aspirations of children. They tend to dream in silence, especially when they are old enough to realize that their families cannot afford to make them possible.
Most often, they just want to join the football team in their school and even that is unattainable due to its cost. That was the story of José Santiago, who grew up in the Stadium Projects in Lawrence and his family could not afford the $75 joining fee. His father wanted him to play baseball because it was within their means. But football was his passion and he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
José grew up, became a police officer in the City of Methuen, and had children of his own. When they were old enough, he started teaching them his love for the game and soon became their trainer. Then, in 2020, when children needed it most, he and his friend James Reynolds created the League Merrimack Valley Spartans.
Today, the Spartans have more than 170 children in 5 football teams from 5 to 14 years of age and 3 cheerleading teams. They come from Methuen, Lawrence, Haverhill, and Andover and belong to several nationalities and language groups.
José is very proud that the most important part of their meetings is what they learn from the adults: manners, behavior, getting along with others, respect, and responsibility. They are made to feel important by placing them first in everything. If they have a banquet, the members eat first, then the adults.
In such a short time, they have received support from the Essex County Foundation, The Andona Foundation in Andover, and Commonwealth Motors with Charles Daher, Jr. volunteering as a trainer for his own children and their games take place at Greater Lawrence Technical School four days each week during the summer months.
José is well-known in Methuen because he was named Community Liaison at the Police Department and he’s now living a dream by guiding this generation to love the sport that he adores.
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