Monterey Bay Football Club’s Chase Boone Surprises Student With Visit to Monterey High School

MONTEREY, Calif. (Wednesday, October 25, 2023) – Monterey Bay Football Club (Monterey Bay F.C.) and forward Chase Boone surprised José Aranda, an 11th grade student at Monterey High School (MHS), in his class on Wednesday, October 25 after Aranda reached out to the Union with a heartfelt letter the week before. Upon receiving the letter, Monterey Bay F.C. VP of Marketing and Communications Christina Ferrante – who is a third-generation alumni of Monterey High School herself, as well as the former Athletic Director, softball and girls basketball coach, and a teacher at the school – reached out immediately to Vice Principal Chelsea Warner to arrange for Aranda’s favorite player to visit him and hand-deliver a signed jersey. In addition, the Union flag was raised above the school, overlooking the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, on Wednesday morning.

Aranda’s business teacher Max Feldman, MHS Principal Tom Newton, Assistant Principal Xavier Rodriguez, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh, MPUSD Chief of Communications and Engagement Marci McFadden, the school’s mascot Tony the Toreador, and local news outlet KSBW joined Aranda’s mom, Maria Jimenez, Dad, Bernardo Aranda, and sister, Sarai Aranda Jimenez (a ninth-grade student at MHS) for the surprise visit. Once the Union, Aranda’s family and the MHS administration joined forces in the main office, everyone secretly made their way to his classroom.

With most of the group hiding in the hallway, Mr. Feldman entered the room holding the letter that Aranda wrote and asked the student to join him in the front of the room. He explained his assignment, which was to write a professional letter to a company or brand that he admires and see which student would receive the best response – an assignment Aranda clearly won.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong partnership with Monterey Bay,” said Warner. “We are lucky to have an alumni in the organization and players and coaches that care so much to get back to our community. We are undoubtedly Union fans, and this just further strengthens our support for Monterey Bay F.C.”

For Monterey Bay, Aranda’s letter perfectly captures the family and community environment that the Club is constantly striving to build upon at its matches, and encapsulates the Club’s growing role in the 831. “Since the inaugural season, I have gone to matches with my dad,” said Aranda in the letter. “This has given my dad and I a stronger bond and yet another thing to enjoy together. Going to Union games is the best because that’s where the community comes together to support our team and it truly builds a special atmosphere.”

Because of Aranda’s touching letter, the Club wanted to do more than simply respond with a signed picture in a letter of its own. Instead, Monterey Bay F.C. surprised Aranda with a visit from Boone, his favorite player, who hand-delivered Aranda his signed jersey.

“I was not expecting this type of response from MBFC,” explained Aranda. “But when they called me up to the front of the class I knew it had to be them. I saw everybody coming in and I got very excited. It’s been a great experience that I will never forget.”

From there, Aranda and his entourage made their way to the front of the school to take pictures of Aranda with his family, Boone and Tony the Toreador. Then before ending the visit, Boone spent some time talking to Aranda, thanking him for writing the letter and showing his support for the Club, afterwhich Aranda assured Boone that he would see him at Cardinale Stadium in 2024.

“I read the letter from Jose and I thought yeah absolutely I have to do this,” said Boone. “It means a lot for us as players to receive letters like this from young fans and just to get the support from the local community is what we play for and that connection is what we strive to build. For as much as I love playing football, playing soccer, this means more to me than anything. Connecting with young fans and being an inspiration for the next generation, that’s why I play the game to be honest.”