Every child has unique interests and abilities, and if that child is provided with access to the opportunities, resources, and encouragement they need, they will go on to excel and thrive — and teach the next generation. At ZYEP, we have seen children who come up through our Summer Camp program and sports leagues take on leadership roles when they age out of the youth programs.
Cody Boone is one of those young people. At age 14, he is just now aging out of the Youth Sport program, and he is setting his sights on what comes next.
Cody was born and raised in Zuni, where he currently is an eighth-grader at Zuni Middle School. He discovered his love of sports at a young age, and he immediately got involved with ZYEP.
“I’ve been with the soccer program here since I was in HeadStart,” he says. “I think I was 4 years old. I’ve had a pretty fun experience. I liked the fact that everyone got along and became friends. We basically became family.”
In addition to the soccer league, Cody also participated in ZYEP’s Summer Camp and basketball and flag football leagues over the last decade. He says soccer definitely has been his favorite program.
“I learned a lot,” he explains. “I opened up more, I developed better social skills, and I built my soccer skills — the basic ones, and I decided to get into some tricks as well.
Anyone who has seen Cody on the soccer field knows this is an understatement. He is a star player who became a huge asset to the U15 league due to his ability to execute footwork beyond what the program teaches.
He exemplified those strengths and abilities this fall, when he helped the Zuni Thunderstrikers place third in the Gallup League Tournament. They earned a trophy, a first for the team.
Cody says he also enjoys track, and he has hobbies outside of sports. Drawing is a big one.
“I’ve been doing that for a long time,” he says.
Going forward, Cody is eager to keep up with his schooling and his athletic pursuits. He says he would like to become a coach with ZYEP’s Youth Sport program at some point.
“The sports leagues are important because they help you deal with whatever problems you might have,” he says. “Sports help you feel better, and let you know that you’re good at something.
“Then you can teach others,” he continues. “I would like to help little kids learn.”
When asked if he has a message for other Zuni youth who are interested in sports, he pauses, then says firmly, “Keep pushing yourself to your limits. And keep a steady mind.”
