After-School All-Stars (ASAS) San Antonio has tirelessly fought for the funding and expansion of the chapter since its initial opening. One of our first expansions was possible due to a generous gift in 2003 from ASAS board member, Todd Wagner—we were able to expand into two new schools. Opportunity came knocking when an existing afterschool program provider pulled out of two middle schools and three elementary schools, allowing us to step into the gap and serve the local community. With more schools, funding from 21st Century grants, and hard work from staff, ASAS San Antonio can provide more students in the Edgewood Independent School District with comprehensive afterschool programming. There has been a greater sense of community and engagement and students’ test scores have even increased as a result.

What started in only two schools has since grown into so much more. ASAS San Antonio can now proudly be found in 32 schools, including all ten elementary schools in the Edgewood Independent School District, plus Brentwood Middle School. After-School All-Stars San Antonio aims to bring opportunities and work with local communities to strengthen their students’ sense of community. Fiesta Week is a great example of building community among students of San Antonio; it is a week dedicated to Texas’ independence from Mexico, and every school participates in the ceremony. Every year, students are asked to design a medal that the ASAS board will then vote on and fund to gift to every student. Students wear this medal proudly and as a badge of honor.