Using Sports to Lead Positive Change in Students

Cheng-jheng High School promotes sports education and organized its first inter-school basketball friendly match and parent-child exchange event on May 1, 2024. The event featured a friendly match with the basketball team from Minghsin University of Science and Technology. The event was graced by Liu Jia-sheng, Head of the Correctional Education and Counseling Division, and Chen Xiu-zu, Executive Director of the Mr. Ding Shan-li Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, who came to cheer for all the participants. In his speech, Director Liu encouraged the students, reminding them that there are many people in society who care about them. He urged them not to give up and to continue striving to become better versions of themselves for their own sake and for their loved ones. Executive Director Chen also expressed gratitude to the Correctional Services for their guidance, which allowed private donations to cooperate with the government, enabling each player to turn their lives around and become the most valuable players in their own lives.

The Cheng-jheng High School basketball team was established in September 2023. Initially, students interested in basketball from various classes were recruited. After selection by external coaches, the top 16 students were chosen for training. Professional coaches were hired to teach individual skills and team tactics during club time each week, and physical training was intensified during regular physical education classes. After more than five months of training, the students were finally able to form a team and participate in competitions. They came up with the team name "Shooting Star," hoping that when they score a basket, it would be like a shooting star, allowing them to make a wish for their future, walk the right path, and work hard for their future step by step. The team expressed their gratitude to the Mr. Ding Shan-li Social Welfare and Charity Foundation for donating uniforms and shoes, which the students wore with appreciation, transforming this gratitude into motivation for the game.

In addition to honing their basketball skills, the future academic prospects of the students were also considered. Professors and students from the Department of Sports Business Management at Minghsin University of Science and Technology were invited to introduce their department to the Cheng-jheng High School basketball team and other sports enthusiasts, sharing the joys of life and learning at university.

The event also invited the students' parents and adversity social workers. Seeing their children happily playing basketball brought tears of joy to the parents, who recalled the dark times when their children were involved in drugs and gangs. During the parent-child banquet after the game, students, parents, and social workers dined together in the auditorium, enjoying this rare family time. Student Xiao Jie said, "Today is Labor Day, and Grandma doesn't have to work. She saw me playing basketball and was so happy." The event, through the connection of social resources, family, social workers, and the school, provided better education and development for the students.