DUMAS, TEXAS -- In this week's Region 16 Education report, we shine the spotlight on Dumas Independent School District. Giving back to the community and their school is what's being instilled into Dumas High School football team. "Adopt a Demon" puts football players into the classrooms of younger students. In 2007, Coach Mike Burke came up with the concept of "Adopt a Demon".
"The football team comes into the classrooms of the intermediate school and the elementary's and each are assigned to a classroom and they help with the kids they may read to them or help with math facts," said Shonda Nelson, Dumas ESL Teacher.
Each Thursday afternoon football players go to those classrooms and help mentor young students. Whether it's through reading and writing, or goofing around, just step into the classrooms and it's easy to see the special relationship these players have with the kids.
"Makes me feel kind of like a hero in a way, because of the way they look up to us all the guys in the Adopt the Demon program, like, we really make a difference," said Mason Bray, Dumas HS Senior.
"I really like being there for little kids just so they can look up to me and know what a good example is," said Erasmo Mendoza, Dumas HS Senior.
The school system says they couldn't be more proud of the program, saying it promotes athletics but also the importance of education. And while the "Adopt a Demon" program only runs through the football season, the players say they will continue their relationships with their new friends.
"I will always keep them, especially on Fridays when you see them in the stands cheering loud for you. That really makes me happy to know am in their heart, it makes me even happy to know they're in my heart, so it's really special to me," said Mendoza.
The high school ends their football season with a bang. Inviting younger kids and special needs kids to join them on the field as they run through their tunnel onto the field.
