By Juan Villanueva |
Like the past five years, this year Family Specialist Christopher Cadena found himself planning the event of National Night Out after spring break. During summer in July, he also attended a National Night Out Safety Fair and in August he spent his time advertising and inviting the community.
Cadena’s work and planning paid off last Tuesday, when over 2,000 people attended National Night Out.
City Year, Extra Life, Freedom Fitness, San Antonio Food Bank and YWCA were only a few of about 90 participants that came together on Tuesday to encourage a safer and stronger community.
This year was the event’s 32nd anniversary and Roosevelt’s sixth year doing competition. Last year, Roosevelt placed first place in the school category, this year results will come in December.
Unlike the other 49 states, Texas celebrates National Night Out the second Tuesday of October. Every other state hosts the community event during August.
Ever since the event began in 1984, National Night Out has been celebrated not just in San Antonio, but all around the nation.
National Night Out brought people from different parts of the city and state together, with over 700 organizations taking place annually.
Many people from different parts of the city also attended the event in our campus.
DJ Mark Howard has attended National Night Out the past four years. He is a resident of Stone Oak, and enjoys everything about the event.
“I think the best part of the event is kids having fun,” Howard said.
Unlike Howard, Bryce Hendry is a nearby resident and a 2015 graduate, but likewise has attended the event for five years now.
“I came out tonight for the food, activities, and friends,” Hendry said.
Senior Max Reeves has been participating in National Night Out for three to four years now.
“What makes the community special is the diversity,” Reeves said. “Diversity is our strength.”
Dissimilarly to most people who attended the event, Katy Philbrick has attended since the event first began.
“I grew up in this community, it’s great to call out the community at Roosevelt” Philbrick said.
After two hours filled with different participations from Roosevelt’s Patriots & Dazzlers, The JROTC Drill Team, Krueger M. S. Orchestra, and others, National Night Out concluded with a thank you from Principal Melvin Echard.
“I think National Night Out continues to grow every year, I’m very proud with participation of Roosevelt and the continued growth of participation of Roosevelt Cluster Schools,” Cadena said.
Eva Rudnick and Tibian Elsheikh contributed to this report.
