Friday Night Lights

August 12, 2010

WHAT:   
“Friday Night Lights” kickoff in Newton Area
        
WHEN:   
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

WHERE:   
Thomas Jefferson High School
1319 East 41st Street, L.A. CA. 90011

WHY:    
To inform the community about the first of four “Friday Night Lights” program and how it will provide a safe and enjoyable place for residents, especially young people, to go during the Thomas Jefferson High School football season.  For the past 9 years, Jefferson High School students have formed the Human Efforts Aimed at Relating Together (HEART).  The program is a proactive student mediation program emphasizing anti-violence, peace, and the practice of positive human relations.   

HEART created “Friday Night Lights” is to bring awareness within the community through the Thomas Jefferson High School Athletics Program.  The students at Jefferson High School approached the schools administration to identify options to have football games played at night.  Unfortunately, the school had no lighting on the field, and no funding to install a lighting system at this time.

An outreach was made to make the Los Angles School Police Association (LASPA) for the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) and the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Newton Division and the Newton Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) aware of Jefferson’s High School needing assistance.  Both agencies including the CPAB stepped up with generous donations to supply lights to accommodate four football games.  Their hopes were to ensure those students at Jefferson High School students have the same high school experiences as other students in the City.  “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS” will kick off their first evening football game at Jefferson High School on September 1, 2010, against Fremont High School.  The event is expected to bring a sell-out crowd to include celebrity alumni and supporters.  

CONTACT:   
For additional information contact Senior Lead Officer Rick Madrigal at 323-846-6524.