The Students

The NMSU soccer girls played another opponent this Friday afternoon.  It was about 3 a clock in the afternoon.  Unlike most games I attend, this particular day was not that hot.  When I walked into the complex and into the stands, I noticed the usual: some adults sitting in the  back of the stands holding huge umbrellas and a large cluster of college students sitting on the far side of the complex.  However, on the far left side of the complex an area was reserved for a group of elementary students.  From what I have gathered these students were part of an after-school program, where the kids went did various activities after school, while they wait for there parents to come and pick them up, once they got off work.  I decided to sit to the right of the reserved section and observe how they interacted amongst each other.   

Generally the students did not pay attention to most of the game, while the helpers or guides of the students tried to watch the game but, they were mostly distracted by the students.  About 4 young male elementary students sat in the back of the reserved area and talked about Pokemon movies and cards, while not paying attention at all to the soccer game.  The students did not cheer or clap, rather they were just focused on talking amongst each other.  They were also surrounded by popcorn, chips and coke, which they got from the concession stands.  At times the 4 boys would stand up and get rowdy and when they did a helper or teacher would quickly quite them down and tell them to watch the game.  

I also observed 3 girls sitting next to each other, in-front of about a 24 age man who happen to be helper or a teacher.  Unlike the 4 boys sitting behind the girls, the girls actually focused on game. The girls would clap  and cheer, whenever a goal or good play would happen.  The girls would also tease and talk to the helper that sat in front of them.  For about 5 minutes during the game, the girls were trying to put bows and hair ties in the helpers hair.  The man never refuted there advances, rather he played along and joined in the fun.  

Almost, all the elementary students bought food and drinks from the concession stands. Also, all the students did not buy healthy food, most of them brought chips and caffeinated soft drinks.  I, also looked around at the rest of the people in the complex.  The older adults and parents seem to usually only buy bottled water from concession stand.  Most of the college students only bought bottled water or a caffeinated drinks.  If the college students had any food. it is from an outside source.  I noticed a couple of students brought in some fast food, while others just brought in granola bars.  What was interesting was no outside food was allowed into the complex, but none of the staff enforced this rule.