Get Ready for CYO Basketball Registration is open & volunteer coaches needed by Lori Broadbent “No one could have predicted that their only victory would come in the final game of the season. Yet their positive attitude, perseverance, and desire to improve never wavered. When that hard-earned win finally came, the joy and pride they shared brought more than just smiles—it inspired everyone cheering them on.”
— David Ortiz, 4th & 5th Grade Girls CYO Coach
Coach Rodrigo Corral celebrates a memorable season with his team. Ready to hit the court? Register by the deadline—and we’re looking for volunteer coaches at every grade level.
Inspired by moments like these, the San Geronimo Valley Community Center and St. Cecilia’s Church are excited to announce that registration for the 2026–2027 CYO Basketball season opens August 14. Through this longstanding partnership, local youth have the opportunity to build basketball skills, confidence, friendships, and the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Whether kids are stepping onto the court for the first time or have played for sev- eral seasons, CYO Basketball welcomes players of all skill levels. The focus is on learning, growing, and having fun while competing in a respectful and encouraging atmosphere. The program is open to students in 3rd through 8th grade. Third graders are eli- gible to play on a 4th-grade team; however, CYO requires that at least 70% of the roster be made up of 4th-grade players in order for a 4th-grade team to be formed. Registration will remain open until Friday, October 2, 2026, and no exceptions will be made after the deadline. Meeting this deadline is essential because teams, coaches, practice schedules, uniforms, and league registration all depend on accu- rate player counts. Practices begin in November and will be one to two afternoons per week, depending on coach availability and gym scheduling. The regular game season begins in early December, with teams competing against other CYO programs throughout the region. As always, our program depends on the incredible support of community volun- teers. We are currently looking for parents, family members, and community mem- bers who are interested in coaching this season. Coaching is a rewarding opportu- nity to make a lasting impact on local youth while helping players develop both on and off the court. Previous coaching experience is not required. CYO provides
a preseason coaching clinic that equips new and returning coaches with the tools, resources, and confidence they need for a successful season. If you have ever considered getting involved, we encourage you to volunteer. Strong community support is what makes this program possible year after year, and our volunteer coaches play an invaluable role in creating a positive experience for every athlete. The registration fee is $300 per player, which helps cover league fees, uniforms, gym use, equipment, officials, insurance, and other program expenses. Families registering more than one child will receive a $50 discount for each additional sib- ling. We believe every child should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial circumstances, and scholarships are available for qualifying families. We encourage anyone needing financial assistance to reach out and apply. Please note that registration is for participation in the overall basketball program and does not guarantee placement on a specific team. Final team assignments are determined after registration closes and are based on the number of registered play- ers, grade levels, league requirements, and the overall needs of the program. This process helps us create balanced teams while meeting all CYO guidelines. We look forward to another exciting season filled with learning, teamwork, and memorable moments on the court. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the Octo- ber 2, 2026 registration deadline. We can’t wait to welcome both returning and new players and coaches for another fantastic season of CYO Basketball! For questions about the program, scholarship information, or coaching opportunities, please contact Lori Broadbent at lbroadbent@sgvcc.org.
Zoila continued from page 1
Last month, after five decades of service, Zoila retired, leaving behind an extraor- dinary legacy that will continue to be felt for years to come. Ask anyone who knows Zoila what makes her special, and you’ll hear about her warmth, patience, and unwavering belief in every child who walked through the Community Center’s doors. She has a remarkable ability to make children feel seen, capable, and valued. For many families, she wasn’t simply an after-school teacher—she was a mentor, a role model, and a trusted friend.
Storytelling was another cornerstone of her work. Inspired by stories shared in her own childhood, Zoila made reading together a daily ritual, creating moments of calm, imagination, and connection. Those simple moments helped countless youth discover a lifelong love of books and learning. Over the years, educational approaches evolved, but Zoila remained grounded in the same core belief: children need caring relationships, meaningful experiences, and a strong sense of belonging.
Her own journey helps explain why community has always been at the heart of her work.
That philosophy helped shape not only the after-school program, but the Community Center itself.
Growing up in San Francisco in a close-knit, multigenerational family, Zoila learned early on that children thrive when they’re surrounded by caring adults. Later, as a young mother raising four children, she was drawn to the San Geronimo Valley because it offered something she wanted deeply for her own fam- ily: room to explore, play outdoors, and grow up in a place where neighbors knew one another.
Today’s families continue to benefit from the welcoming, relationship-centered culture that Zoila helped build. Many adults who once attended her after-school program have returned with children of their own, a testament to the lasting impact she has had on this community. At Zoila’s retirement celebration, Program Director Nicole Ramirez captured what so many people feel. “We are so blessed to have Zoila in our lives as a mentor and a friend,” Nicole shared. “She is an incredible person to be around and learn from.” While Zoila may be stepping away from her daily role, her influence will continue to be felt every time a child feels welcomed, every time a family finds connection, and every time neighbors come together to support one another. “Zoilas’s legacy isn’t simply measured simply by the years she served, but by the generations of children who grew up knowing they belonged, “ says Alexa Davidson, Executive Director. “We are deeply grateful for Zoila’s extraordinary contributions to the San Geronimo Valley Community Center and to the thou- sands of families whose lives she has touched.” Please join us in celebrating Zoila when she is honored at our Heart of the Valley Benefit on October 10. Until then, if you see her around the Valley, be sure to thank her for helping make our community the special place it is today.
Those experiences shaped her philosophy as an educator.
Long before “community schools” became a common idea, Zoila understood that learning extends far beyond the classroom. She believed children flourish when parents, teachers, neighbors, and volunteers all play a role in their lives. Throughout her career, she helped create programs that encouraged families to participate, share their talents, and build lasting relationships with one another. As Zoila says, “Many of children’s most important lessons happen during moments that can’t be measured by homework or tests.” That philosophy has shaped her work for decades and continues to inspire the strong sense of connection that defines the San Geronimo Valley community. Whether kids were building with blocks, creating art, reading stories, or exploring outdoors, Zoila understood that play nurtures creativity, confidence, problem-solv- ing, and friendship. She often spoke about the importance of giving children space to work through disagreements, make discoveries, and learn from one another— skills that serve them throughout their lives.
Page 6 SGV Community Center Stone Soup
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator