Watch Episode 5 of Rams original series "Behind the Grind" Airs today, Rams, Ravens Announce Joint Practices, Financial Literacy Workshops with Banc of California, Mock Interviews for High School Seniors & LAUSD's Student & Teacher of the Month

Rams, Ravens Announce Joint Training Camp Practices
Rams, Ravens Announce Joint Training Camp Practices
The Los Angeles Rams will participate in two joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens during training camp, the team announced today. The practices will be hosted by the Ravens and will take place on Monday, Aug. 6 and Tuesday, Aug. 7 in advance of the teams’ Preseason Week 1 matchup on Thursday, Aug. 9 at M&T Bank Stadium.

“The schedule worked out in our favor where we could schedule these two practices with the Ravens,” Rams Head Coach SEAN MCVAY said. “Opportunities like this are always beneficial and it helps us evaluate our players going into the preseason.”

Times, dates, and specific location of the practices will be released to media at a later date. For more information, please contact a member of the Rams communications department.

Rams Host Financial Literacy Workshops with Banc of California
Rams Host Financial Literacy Workshops with Banc of California
In partnership with Banc of California, the Los Angeles Rams hosted four financial literacy workshops for students at ‘A Place Called Home,’ the team’s official “Courage House.” The series of 50-minute workshops were part of BOC’s ‘Money Smart Program.’ Each session covered an important topic such as: financial planning, spending & budgeting, managing a paycheck and choosing a banking partner.

On April 9, Banc of California representatives led a group presentation about financial planning and the efforts one must take to achieve personal-economic satisfaction. During the session, students determined their personal values and financial goals and created a financial plan they can use and reference in the future.

“It was great to meet and offer Banc of California’s financial literacy program to a number of the young adults at A Place Called Home,” said Carlos Huiza, VP & Branch Manager for BOC. “They’re our future and I believe our world is a better place when everyone is out helping others. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that gives solely for the pure joy of giving back to our communities.”

Joining some students at A Place Called Home on April 16 to learn about spending and budgeting was Rams Tight End GERALD EVERETT. Together they worked to formulate a plan for spending and saving, created a system for keeping financial records and learned about cash flow management.

“I wish I had a seminar growing up that would teach me about expenses and credit cards,” said Everett. “These kids are definitely blessed to be able to have this with the Banc of California and it’s great for them to be able to come together and do something for these kids.”

On April 27, APCH students participated in a course about the importance of managing a paycheck and what it means to be financially responsible. With the guidance of BOC representatives, students identified elements of a paycheck, learned how taxes, exemptions and deductions impact net pay, and calculated gross and net income.

Rams Tight End TYLER HIGBEE and Director of Player Engagement JACQUES McCLENDON also paid a visit to Banc of California’s downtown branch with APCH students on April 30 to learn more about choosing a banking partner. During the course, Higbee, McClendon and the students worked together to identify financial institutions, key differences between checking and savings accounts, as well as the benefits of banking.

“These kids are way ahead of the curve,” said McClendon. “I think what they’re doing is awesome in terms of getting a head start and learning about what financial literacy really means. These are some of the things that they don’t always teach in school and they should, like how to handle your bank accounts, checking accounts, saving accounts etc. It’s really awesome that they’re here and that’re they’re getting ahead of the curve.”

In February, the Rams joined the Ed Block Courage Foundation to name A Place Called Home the team’s official “Courage House.” The Rams and the foundation have been working together to create a support network for APCH Youth to help promote the facilities fundraising and create awareness.

Rams Recognize LAUSD's Student & Teacher of the Month
On Friday, April 20, the Los Angeles Rams & CBS-2/KCAL-9 spent time at Chester W. Nimitz Middle School in Huntington Park to recognize LAUSD’s Student and Teacher of the Month. In front of an auditorium filled with the school’s student body, 8th grade student Lupita Medina and teacher Tiffany Smith were praised for their accomplishments and their dedication to excellence. In attendance to celebrate the two honorees was CBS’ famous sports anchor Jim Hill and Rams’ community outreach executive JOHNATHAN FRANKLIN.

At 14 years of age, Lupita Medina is a leader and inspiration to her peers and superiors alike. She’s enrolled in honors and accelerated coursework while serving as the school’s student body president. Medina also ranks #1 as the best boxer in the nation for her age group and has already completed her first marathon. She plans to study Business Law at UCLA and aspires to be a part of the USA Olympic Boxing team.

“I’ll never give up, even if I might fail sometimes,” said a humble Medina. “I just always keep trying to succeed in anything I do.”

A teacher at Nimitz Middle School for 17 years, Tiffany Smith has dedicated herself to empowering the lives of her students. Coming from a long line of educators, Smith grew up “playing teacher,” which lead her to develop a passion for serving her community. Treating all students as if they are her own children, she consistently finds ways to build resiliency in her students with her expectation of high-level thinking for every child in her classroom.

“I really enjoy being here with my students,” said Smith. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I like being in a position where I push them to think and grow so they can become good people…I’ve taught for 20 years, and I can say this is the peak. It’s one of the best moments I’ve had and I never expected it. I don’t teach for an award or anything, I just teach for my students and that’s it.”
As one of the hardest working sportscasters in the business, CBS’ Jim Hill knows what it takes to see a dream manifest into reality and he was kind enough to share his recipe of success with the Nimitz Middle School students after congratulating Medina and Smith for their achievements and leadership.

“Meeting both of you today, I am filled with so much joy and I want to say to you and to all of our students…Keep going for your dreams,” said Hill. “Every person in this auditorium has dreams and nothing should ever stand in the way of achieving them, no matter who you are or where you came from. Study hard, work hard, and you can achieve all of your dreams.”

Other notable community members in attendance were: LAUSD’s Unified Board Member, District 5 Dr. Ref Rodriguez, LAUSD’s Unified Local District East Superintendent Jose Huerta, and CBS-2/KCAL-9 Vice President/News Director Tara Firestone.

Rams Conduct Mock Interviews for High School Seniors
On Tuesday, April 24, the Rams joined the Los Angeles Education Partnership at Cesar Chavez Learning Academy in San Fernando to facilitate mock interviews for high school students who are preparing to enter college or the work force following high school graduation. As part of the program, students from the Social Justice Humanitas Academy were selected and each student participated in 20-minute one-on-one interviews as Rams staffers assessed and provided feedback on their responses, general attitude and the students’ ability to showcase their talents and passions.

As the College and Career Pathways Coordinator and a former graduate of an LAEP partner school, Matthew Moor supports youth by helping his students prepare their own resumes with their contact information, level of education, background in leadership and extracurricular activities. For the past 9 months, Moor has dedicated himself to providing experiences and opportunities for his students to present themselves in a professional manner and to market their skills for future employment opportunities. With the Rams participation, Moor believes his students gained insight into the sports industry and continued to develop their communication skills for interviews with potential employers.

“For the Rams organization to come and help build the social capital of these students was great,” said Moor. “These are skills that our students don’t always have the opportunity to gain in the community, so participating in mock interviews with the Rams was great because they provided the transitional knowledge needed to speak to adults and to participate in a professional interview while giving them exposure to different fields and types of organizations. The Rams certainly played a role in helping these students attain the skills needed to be able to navigate in professional spaces.”

The Rams payroll manager Danielle Michael, a native of Pacoima in Northern San Fernando Valley, thought conducting mock interviews for high school students was a tremendous way to give back to the community she once grew up in. After leading 5 different students in mock interviews and providing guidance for her student’s next chapters, Michael believes she left a lasting imprint on her hometown’s youth.

“Today was powerful for me because I was able to give back to the community I was raised in,” said Michael. “I had a student approach me at the end of our session and he was so passionate about being successful and being an example to his younger siblings and it nearly brought me to tears. It felt great to be able to talk to him and give him some guidance and ideas to support him for the next phases of his journey.”

The Los Angeles Education Partnership is an education non-profit that works as a collaborative partner in high-poverty communities to foster great schools that support the personal and academic success of children and youth from birth through high school.

This initiative was part of the Rams’ monthly Day of Service program. Each month, the Rams front office staff takes time out of the office to volunteer with local non-profits. Since returning home to Los Angeles, Rams staff members have provided more than 3,000 hours of community service and impacted 21 non-profits and 41 schools through the Day of Service program. 

For more information about the Rams’ community outreach initiatives, please visit therams.com/community.
Watch Episode 5 of Rams Original Series

Watch Episode 5 of Rams Original Series "Behind the Grind"

Episode 5 of Rams original series "Behind the Grind" is available now on Facebook Watch. In the latest episode learn more about new Rams WR Brandin Cooks and get an inside look at the Rams' star-studded Pre-Draft Party as well as the team's war room during Draft weekend.

Diary Of A Ram Fan. A satirical look at more than 75 years of Football's Rams history, combined with discussions of American Exceptionalism and almost 50 years of personal experience in the life of a Rams Fan. The history parallels and intertwines life to form a humorous, yet serious look at American HistoryWorld History, an American Football team, and Political Science.