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34th ANNUAL L.A. WATTS SUMMER GAMES KICK OFF
ON JUNE 2, 3, 9 &10
Largest High School Tournament in the Nation LOS ANGELES - More than 7,000 high school students from throughout California will participate in the 2000 L.A. Watts Summer Games on June 2, 3, 9 &10 at L.A. Southwest College (1600 W. Imperial Hwy., L.A.), Cerritos College (11110 Alondra Blvd., Cerritos) and 15 Los Angeles High Schools. Students will compete in 17 boys and girls events
including cheerleading, basketball, soccer, football, baseball,
softball, wrestling, water polo, volleyball, tennis, track &
field and art competition. The number of events, schools and students
involved makes this the largest high school athletic competition
in the nation. “The Games expose more communities and students
to one another in a two-weekend period than can happen sometimes
in one year. This is the uniqueness of the Games. Eleven counties,
or 19% of the state, is invited to the tournament. This affords
teams and communities to integrate in ways that would not normally
occur during the standard high school athletic calendar - and
thus accomplishes our mission,” says Games Director, Christine
Carlin. New for the Games include boys and girls world cup
soccer format, integration of cheerleading into Finals Day on
June 10, and an enhanced Finals' Day activities. Finals Day will
feature interactive games, entertainment, a barbecue, three awards
ceremonies and all championship games. While the Games continue to feature some of the
top-ranked high school talent in the nation, it is not just an
athletic competition. The Games also include an art competition,
scholarships and Sportsmanship Awards. The Los Angeles Junior
Chamber of Commerce (LAJCC), founder of the Games, is awarding
$44,000 in scholarships to 23 students for their academic achievements
and community service. A tradition since its inception in 1992,
the LAJCC has awarded more than $221,000. Developed as a healing response to the 1965 Watts
Riots, the mission of the Games is to build bridges of understanding
among high school youth. The Games strive to promote positive
interaction, respect and achievement through spirited competition
in athletics, arts and academics. The Games are a grassroots event
managed by a 70 person steering committee, 3 full-time staff,
2,000 volunteers and 600 volunteer CIF officials. More than 4,000
volunteer hours contribute to the success of the Games each year. All events are free and open to the public. Updated schedules, brackets, and registered teams can be found on the Games website at www.lajcc.org. Or call toll free for additional information: 888.52.LAWSG. ### | ||