Vote now for the 2017 MLS WORKS Community MVP! The Grand Prize winner will take home $25,000 for their favorite charity. Learn more about the Dynamo's MVP, Edgar Melchor, below!
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Edgar Melchor, a rising senior at the University of Houston, is committed to making a difference in the lives of young students. Although Edgar is a full-time student, he also works as an after-school teacher and mentor at FORGE for Families, a ministry in Houston’s Third Ward that aims to holistically equip families to reach their full potential. As a lifetime soccer fan, Edgar introduced students in the after-school program to the beautiful game. Edgar believes that learning a new sport increases the confidence of program participants, and is a great way for students to re-energize before tackling their homework.
Edgar was instrumental in the establishment of the First Pass Initiative – a joint effort between the Houston Dynamo, led by midfielder Andrew Wenger, and FORGE for Families. What started as a casual pick-up game has developed into a program that teaches soccer, discipline, accountability and teamwork. The team-building exercises and passing drills Edgar organizes forge new friendships between students. Moreover, the lessons being taught on the field are reinforced in the classroom.
“Edgar challenges his students to try new things,” said Program Director Bridget Thomas. “Every day he shows up with a smile, a true embodiment of our four FORGE principles – choosing your attitude, being present, making someone’s day, and having fun. Edgar’s work ethic and positive attitude are contagious. You will often find students practicing the drills he taught them and then asking him to referee a pick-up game of soccer.”
Edgar leads by example, teaching others how to live a life filled with purpose, meaning and fun. An avid Dynamo fan, Edgar is also proud teaching a new group of young fans to chant “Let’s go, Dynamo!”
