All the students knew that swoosh, and loved Nike’s products. But Nike’s worldwide headquarters, thousands of miles away, seemed impossible to reach; the children were sure that no one would pay attention to their writing. However, with great expectations, they proudly posted over thirty letters to the worldwide leaders of Nike. Then, quietly, week after week, the student’s waited and waited. No answer came. One student, Melissa Rose Velarde confides, “I felt sad because of the hard work we did on the essays. I thought my letter was weak, not strong, not understood.” Soon Melissa would change her mind. Joaquin Fujihira echoed his classmate’s concern, “Usually we never get stuff from outside places….” But sometimes, it turns out, dreams come true.
A call came from Rota’s tiny airport. A mysterious package had arrived, after long delays and a great deal of effort by many people to make sure that the big box went to the right place. The following morning confused seventh graders were summoned to a classroom for a special meeting. A big box sat in the center of the room. Tiny smiles began to erupt as each student realized what must have happened. Someone from Nike had heard their voices, and had responded in a big way.
The box was quickly ripped open and inside there was treasure; Nike donated enough sports equipment for each pair of seventh graders to have a Nike ball of their own. Included in the package was a set of special equipment to maintain Nike’s gift. The children were elated. John Quitugua says, quietly, that opening the huge box of equipment “….was just like winning a huge championship, winning [Nike’s] support felt like a great achievement.” Shy Dannuell Rangamar shrugs and shakes his head, “I feel powerful because, because something like this has never happened before, only now,” his voice trails off in wonder before he adds, “We got these balls for free; we didn’t have to pay even though they are worth a lot.” Later he said his parents freaked out: “They didn’t know we could write like that.” Jarriel Mendiola says, “We were glad we wrote strong essays. Nike understood us and wanted to try to encourage us!”
Rota Junior High Acting Principal Maria Sablan Quitugua, speaks in a soft voice about the moment for her school, “I was just so thankful to the company that they actually responded to the students’ letters. To see the little faces when they received what we never expected, what we could not have actually ever have expected! They were so amazed and elated.”
Beda Mundo’s whole body straightens as she proudly shares the story of her success. “It was like shock. Because for a long time I was wondering to myself, ‘Did they even read our letters?’ But now I see that Nike has feelings. They didn’t think of us at a low level. They did not judge us for our nationality. They treated us like — like we had power in our brown voices.” Lilttle Micca King says, “It’s amazing, what Nike did. Because not a lot of people can do what we can do, but Nike noticed us. Our words are very strong. My parents said that they were very happy, that Nike had made them happy.” Garrieanne Toves’ already big brown eyes get even bigger, “I cannot find the word, um — I felt excited, and like I could do it again. That educated people could follow along with what I am saying.” Austin Maratita observes, “We wrote a good letter that inspired Nike to give us balls!”
Kelina Hocog pulls her hair back from her oval face, “Our own writings were good enough to make Nike hear. My writing was powerful, I’m not just joking, we did a good job.” Manuel Atalig agrees, “We influenced them.” He looks down, and then stares out again, “We really did influence them.”
Willis Kani says, eyeing the Nike equipment, “They noticed us. They helped the people of Rota. They supported us. I feel good now.”
Rhowan Hizon smiles, saying, “I think we’re more fortunate than anyone else because Nike approved of us. I thought they wouldn’t because the writing was weak-. But look at this equipment here! My mom said, ‘Where did you buy all those balls?’ and I said, ‘No mom, we didn’t spend any money, all we did was write a letter.’”
All they did was write a letter that touched hearts on two different sides of the ocean, producing a moment of tremendous Nike fueled joy for a whole lot of humble people.
(The writer is Rota Junior High School’s mentor teacher and reading specialist. Any educator wishing to know more about this campaign should contact her at [email protected].)
//
