On the west side of Delano, the Robert F. Kennedy High School football program continues to help its student athletes persevere through challenges by providing a safe space and support system away from home.
For many youth in Kern County, working in the fields alongside their parents, peers, and neighbors is part of their norm, as the majority of families are migrant based farm workers. They’ll work under the blazing California sun throughout the summer and in the winter, breathing in the pesticides that roam the area.
Many of these youths balance a multitude of responsibilities that others outside of the area would not comprehend. Kern County alone has many disadvantaged communities that live in poor air quality, poverty, and lack of access to clean water. The disparities extend to their educational and community resources.
According to the California School Dashboard, 90.3% of students at Robert F. Kennedy High School are categorised as socioeconomically disadvantaged. However, despite the lack of resources made available and the negative perspective surrounding Kern, these student-athletes are demonstrating their resilience and unity through football.
Samuel Ortega, a rising senior at Kennedy and left tackle for the Kennedy football team, spoke about what it means exactly to be a part of the athletic program at Kennedy.
“It means a lot- it’s where I found a place I fit in. I found a family I can turn to. It’s not just a football team, it’s a brotherhood, and that’s a big part for me in any program that I’m looking for,” said Ortega.
Kennedy is set to fight for another Valley section title this Friday, November 27th. The program has formally won the title back at least four times, and at every chance they have demonstrated the talent, commitment, and dedication to put themselves on the map and reclaim the narrative of what it means to be from the west side of Delano.
Ortega went on to explain that he hopes those outside of his hometown recognise that, though this program is viewed as the underdogs, they always show them how Kennedy does it.
“I want everyone to know to never underestimate anyone and always treat people with respect,” said Ortega.
Luis Diaz, a senior and Kennedy football player who works in the fields while school is not in session, recognised the support and understanding that exists within the program for farm workers like himself.
“This program, especially at Kennedy, are really supportive of farm workers because they understand that it’s not an easy job but a big struggle. I feel supported when I do go, the coaches understand that I need to work, to make money, but it also helps me as a player understand necessities,” said Diaz.
Diaz went on to explain that he has seen the growth with himself and his teammates become stronger as they have faced struggles and failures throughout their seasons.
Coach Samuel Salinas echoed a similar sentiment to his athletes, noting the community and growth within these young star athletes. Salinas also expanded the resilience that lives within the program.
With 17 years of experience, Salinas has worked across Kern County and notes that it’s more than just a game for these kids. It provides opportunities for them to network and build on those relationships with their teammates and coaches.
“It gives them something, it gives them purpose. Just talking to a lot of the guys who have graduated, they say you know, when we were in school, we have a purpose…It kind of gets them in a lifestyle of doing the right things, and that, in my opinion, you know, helps transfer as they go into adults,” said Salinas.
With the football program’s growing success, recognition has increased a little for the Delano team.
For this particular team and group of seniors, he has seen their maturity as they process the different life experiences that they encounter.
He acknowledges that for many of his players, football is not the main priority; they deal with their own personal lives and have to work, not because they want to, but because it is a necessity to provide for their families and themselves.
“It’s not just football for them, it’s more than just a game. It’s so much more than that. They’re playing for their family, each other, and their teammates. I think they’d be the first to tell you that, too,” said Salinas.
One of many things he noticed his senior players learned was how to deal with adversity, that despite the bad things that do happen, whether it be during a game or home life, they must combat the issue and not flee from it.
Salinas, who has coached at both McFarland and Cesar Chavez, noted what stood out to him most about Kennedy.
“The kids for sure. They’re tough, they’re loyal to them, and they’re loyal to you. You know, I love these guys. I say all the time, I think I have the best job,” said Salinas.
Mario Millan, head coach for Kennedy since 2018, said that practising during Thanksgiving break means an opportunity to play for a title and having to deviate from plans in order to practice for football.
“It’s very special as it doesn’t happen very often,” said Millan.
Millan described what he feels is the core identity of the team.
“I would say gritty, you know, they get after it. They play aggressively, and they have a great time doing it,” said Millan.
Despite the challenges the kids face, gang presence, limited resources, and heavy labor for many working-class families. Millan reminds his players that they are not defined by their environment.
The Kennedy Football team has a motto, “Built Not Born,” that they have regularly abided by since its inception.
“I grew up here, in Richgrove, so I am a local. I get it, but you can’t allow that to govern who you are; you cannot let that define you. I think here we really stress that, and sometimes it might seem a little insensitive, but you have to continue to push forward, persevere, and become something different, because if not, you end up being in the same cycle as your family-it might not be a bad cycle, but it’s a hard cycle,” said Millan.
At Kennedy, Millan stresses to his athletes that this program is a safe space from outside pressures and any turmoil they may face at home or in the community.
“We try to tell our guys that this is their safe space. When they’re with us, nothing is going to happen to them. They’re not going to go hungry. We’re going to find food if they are hungry. They’re going to be safe. We also try to provide the connection to any other services that they may need,” said Millan.
Both Coach Millan and Coach Jacob Fargoso acknowledged that the obstacles these young men must overcome, such as the limited resources that affluent schools have access to inside and outside of school, set them apart.
“We have what we have. We have what this side of town has produced, and so we build them up. We’re not as blessed as other teams to have those 6’5 athletes, so we squeeze every single sort of athleticism, everything out of them to compete at the top Division 3 level,” stated Fargoso.
