At Romero Elementary School in Santa Nella, educator Peter Gonzalez has turned a simple idea into a transformative basketball program for students.

Noticing the lack of organized sports in the community and seeing his students’ limited knowledge of basketball, Gonzalez decided to take action.

“Growing up, I played sports every day at the park, and I realized my students weren’t getting the same experiences,” he said.

 With the support of Principal Nic Freitas, Gonzalez launched the basketball program, which has since become a cornerstone of the school’s athletic activities.

The impact on students has been significant.

“I believe students look forward to the league every spring,” Gonzalez shared. Over the past three years, he’s seen improvements in their skills and confidence. “Scoring has gone up from six baskets a game to nine. It’s motivating to see their progress.” But for Gonzalez, it’s not just about basketball. “Sports are a great way to teach values like hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship,” he added.

To encourage physical activity, Gonzalez has introduced after-school practices that focus on overall athleticism. “Health is wealth,” he emphasizes. “Getting kids away from screens to exercise strengthens both their bodies and minds.”

In addition to coaching, Gonzalez is organizing a fajita dinner fundraiser at the Mission De Oro to take his students on a trip to Stanford University to watch the women’s basketball team face North Carolina. The idea came from attending a similar event for his son’s school. “It was a great experience, and I wanted to create that for our program,” he says. The funds will cover game tickets, transportation, and meals for the students. “I want my kids to see why we work so hard to get them to grade level. Walking around Stanford’s campus is an experience that shows them what’s possible.”

Though the dinner tickets have sold out, Gonzalez encourages continued support through donations to the Romero PTC and contributions for a silent auction. Running the program and organizing fundraisers hasn’t been without its challenges, but Gonzalez remains grateful for the help of his fellow teachers. “I’m lucky to have four teachers helping me coach after school,” he says. “The students have shown their appreciation by being coachable and demonstrating great sportsmanship.”

Looking to the future, Gonzalez plans to expand the program, hoping to one day pass the torch to another leader. In the meantime, he’s committed to improving his coaching skills through USA Basketball training. “I want to coach these kids over the summer to prepare them for success at the middle and high school levels,” he said.

As the Romero Basketball League continues to grow, Gonzalez remains focused on his goals: developing a love for the game, improving athletic ability, and fostering teamwork. “It’s a joy to see the kids grow through this sport,” he said. “The support from staff and the community keeps pushing us forward.”