Child Profiles
Jordan, born January 1998
It was a perfectly sunny winter afternoon in Phoenix. Not too cold, not too overcast. Perfect for playing outside in the park. So, nine-year-old Jordan and 12 News Today anchor, Scott Light, took the opportunity to make the most of it.
The pair met with Arizona Saguaros and Grand Canyon University head soccer coach, Petar Draksin and two GCU soccer players at Encanto Park in downtown Phoenix. There, Jordan learned that he is not just good at soccer. Hefs great at it.
Draksin started by setting up mesh goals on either side of the grassy field. Then, he and Jordan became one team with the GCU players making up the opposing team. Light decided to stay on the sidelines and watch all of the action.
Jordan dribbled the ball slowly at first and then gained speed. The smile on his face was a good indication that he was gaining confidence as well. Draksin saw his college players gaining on Jordan and shouted, "Jordan, pass it to me!" Jordan gave the ball a swift kick and within moments, it sailed to the other side of the field, landing safely at the coach's feet. The pair moved the ball down the field until it was time to make good use of the temporary soccer goal. Draksin passed it to Jordan. Then, without warning, Jordan booted the ball past the goalie and into the mesh with a whoosh. Jordan lifted his arms in triumphant Rocky fashion and screamed into the air, "Yes!"
After their impromptu game, Coach Draksin gave Jordan a few more soccer tips, like how to dribble effectively, how to hit ball with your head and how to stop a soccer ball. Jordan listened intently and practiced each move. All the while, he whispered simple instructions to himself. "Kick it over there... okay, dribble."
When practice was over, Draksin had one more surprise up his sleeve. "Jordan, we're glad to present you here today with this ball. There was a professional game in town Wednesday - a team from Mexico - the Indios from Juarez, Mexicocand these are all the players that signed.... Put it somewhere and remember us - that we played soccer here and had fun, right?" After handing him the signed ball, Coach Draksin picked up the black and white ball they had been playing with in the field. Tossing it to him, he added, "and this ball is from us - to play with."
When he is not spending time on the soccer field with his friends, Jordan finds a variety of activities to keep him busy. Despite his natural talent for the game, soccer is not his favorite sport. Light asked, "So what's your favorite sport?"
"Football," Jordan said, his eyes lighting up.
Light shook his head in surprise. "Football, OK. What position do you play?"
"Like quarter back or running back."
Light discovered that Jordan has big plans for his future. "What do you want to be when you grow up, Jordan?"
"A professional football player," he said, showing his pearly whites. Jordan noted that he hopes to play running back for the Baltimore Ravens, his very favorite team.
"And why do you like playing running back," Light inquired.
"'Causec you get to go out on the field and (get) touchdowns," Jordan explained.
For now, though, this third grader is working hard in school. He noted that he likes school for one simple reason: "It's fun."
When it comes to food, Jordan is really easy to please. In fact, his school cafeteria often serves one of his very favorite foods, "mini corn dogs!" Jordan said that at home his favorite meal is always burritos.
When he is not working on homework or outside playing with his friends, Jordan makes a little time to watch TV. Unlike his peers, Jordan doesn't automatically head for Cartoon Network or the Disney Channel with the remote control. Instead, he said, he likes to watch the news. Light looked impressed at this fact, shaking his head in agreement. "Oh you watch the news. I like that!"
Jordan's ideal adoptive family will include two loving parents who are eager to be active participants in Jordanfs life. He will do best in a family where he is either an only child or where he has older siblings in the home. It is vital that his new family is able to provide him structure, consistency, understanding, love and a sense of belonging.
For more information about Jordan or to learn about foster care and adoption opportunities, please call AASK at (602) 254-2275.
