Lead With Your Heart

Soccer Showcase!

The next day, Maritza and Violeta warm up on the field at the Riverfront sports complex alongside forty other girls, while Sierra and Mr. Bernstein organize kids along the sidelines. Every so often Sierra flashes a thumbs-up to check that Maritza is holding steady. In the stands, Maritza’s parents sit beside Violeta’s family, where little Mia keeps a soccer ball balanced on her lap, ready to sub in if the team needs her. Nearby, Maritza’s abuelos have invited two of their favorite tailoring clients. They chat and laugh together as the field fills up.

Maritza and Ainsley pull on blue player bibs. Violeta and Mia get purple ones to line up with the scrimmage teams. Out in the crowd, Makena and Evette hold up a sign reading “Tu Lucha Es Mi Lucha.” DJ Sol, livestreaming the whole event, cues a catchy dance tune while both teams warm up. Maritza and Violeta trade nervous, excited glances, knowing what’s coming.

At the signal, Dad steps up to the loudspeaker and calls out each Jaguars player by name, one by one. The girls sprint onto the field holding lowered poster boards and lock into formation. Once they all are on the field, they hold up their posters together. They read “FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER.” For one long second, the whole crowd goes silent. Then cheers erupt.

Maritza takes the microphone and introduces herself, explaining that the team is united in its love of soccer, and united in something else, too. They’re raising awareness about Andrés Moreno, a teammate’s uncle who has lived in the community for years, working, raising a family, and serving actively in his church, before being detained by immigration authorities. Violeta steps up next, sharing her family’s story and asking the crowd for help. Mia holds up Andrés’s soccer ball for everyone to see. Maritza says her current-events class will be collecting donations, and the food trucks will be donating half their profits for the day to the Moreno family to help with legal fees. Maritza hopes the crowd will open their hearts and raise their voices for Andrés Moreno, to return him home to his family.

Just then, the referee blows the whistle and like that, it is over.

After the showcase, Maritza changes into the Mexican blouse Sierra gave her. She hopes it’ll be a surprise. Makena calls her over to say people are already loving the World by Us posts about the showcase. Evette, snacking on quesadillas from the MexiExpress truck, snaps a selfie for the page. And then, Maritza feels a tap on her shoulder. A TV crew, arranged in advance by Peyton, wants to interview Maritza, Sierra, and Mr. Bernstein about the cause.

The reporter asks Maritza what inspired her to make a stand. Maritza considers all of her feelings about Violeta’s uncle. She explains that her class has been discussing immigration, and they wanted to make people aware of what is happening in the United States and in Washington D.C. They’ll also be asking lawmakers to have compassion for immigrant families so no more families have to experience what the Morenos have gone through.

After the TV crew leaves, Sierra gives Maritza’s arm a gentle tug. She grins, teasing that she knew all along the blouse would end up worn for something super important.

That night, Maritza writes to Tía Mari, describing every emotion of the day: standing up for Violeta’s family, hearing the crowd cheer, and sitting for her first TV interview. She wishes Tía Mari could have seen it all, and admits that missing her aunt will always be part of what makes her stronger and kinder.