A PUBLICATION OF CITYSQUASH

An Urban Youth Enrichment Program DECEMBER 2019

LEARNERS FOR LIFE EARLY MORNING Extracurricular clubs expand horizons for team members. SQUASH Team members hit the courts early to run through some drills and build CitySquash is a big commitment. From the time they are in elementary school, team members extra fitness before heading off for the school day. The most committed are required to come on average four times a week, devoting seven hours to CitySquash’s core early morning squash players earn programming of rigorous academic support and squash instruction. Many spend their weekends the coveted “6:30am” T-shirt. on the road traveling to tournaments or taking part in enrichment trips. You would think our team members would be asking for a break! Instead, we have found that the more we offer our team members, the more they embrace the opportunities. CitySquash now offers students an array of optional extracurricular activities including Activity Club, Math Club, Music Club, Early Morning Squash, and Wilderness Club. Though optional, over 70 team members last year elected to take part in at least one of our clubs. WILDERNESS CLUB “With an emphasis on trying new things, our clubs push team members outside of their comfort Students learn to build shelters, zones, thus providing opportunities to reinforce and extend the growth mindset and core campfires, and cook outdoors values the rest of our programming teaches,” said Academic Chair and Director of Middle School through project-based learning, and Academics Colin Murfree, who also leads CitySquash’s Wilderness Club. they put their skills to the test during Michael Vasquez, a 6th grade CitySquash team member who took part in Math Club and Music camping trips to Bear Mountain Club enjoyed experiencing a unique approach to learning. “I liked playing different kinds of games in and Copake Falls. Math Club instead of just answering questions on a sheet of paper.” He added, “I enjoyed coming to the clubs because it gave me a chance to interact with my friends and become closer to them.”

MATH CLUB MUSIC CLUB Under the leadership of volunteer Sunil Students are exposed to the basics of Nair, and his son Sid, team members note reading, rhythm, and harmony as develop a love for mathematics by they learn to play the recorder. Their bolstering their understanding of key newfound skills were showcased in concepts while strengthening their front of their teammates during class mathematical intuition and problem- performances as well as during the solving skills. The experience culminates in CitySquash Talent Show. taking part in the annual Math Olympiad.

ONWARDS & UPWARDS ONE FOR ALL, 23 CitySquashers join the private school and college ranks. ALL FOR ONE! Student leaders bolster CitySquash’s team culture.

CitySquash has always prided itself on being a tight-knit community, but in the past year, a renewed focus has been placed on encouraging teamwork and collaboration among team members across all grades. With the hard work and guidance of our staff, CitySquash’s team-building curriculum It was a record year for intentionally creates opportunities for our team CitySquash’s placement program as members to develop their ability to cooperate PRIVATE SCHOOL the organization secured admission to with each other, cultivate a stronger sense Two larger-scale events, CitySquash four-year colleges for all 11 of its high of shared responsibility, and sharpen their Thanksgiving and CitySquash Serves, provided Angelina Amastal school seniors, and 12 other students problem solving and communication skills. opportunities for our entire team to come Ashanti Amastal won scholarships to private schools. CitySquash captains played a critical together to celebrate a common purpose. During Maury Escalona Of the group headed off to private role in helping to rally team members around CitySquash Thanksgiving, team members made schools, nine come from CitySquash’s this initiative. In addition to taking part in over 250 sandwiches for a holiday dinner put on Jesus Fierro Eaglebrook School Brooklyn program—a testament to the Adventure & Leadership Weekend at the by Part Of The Solution (POTS), which assists Randy Guzman the site’s growth and success over the Princeton-Blairstown Center, our captains individuals living in poverty. During CitySquash Zoe Liu Packer Collegiate Institute past five years. To date, 84 CitySquash met regularly with staff to help design team- Serves, team members collectively completed Leo Lucero Birch Wathen Lenox School team members have been admitted to building activities for weekly CitySquash over 300 hours of community service in one day, Joey Ho private high schools and 82 have gone gatherings. During designated Team-Building delivering meals to home-bound senior citizens, Giana McIntosh off to college. Days, CitySquashers bonded over scavenger caring for trees in local parks, cleaning up This past spring, another class hunts, the human knot challenge, egg tosses, Orchard Beach, and organizing a food drive for David Paxtor Fessenden School of CitySquashers capped off their and three-legged races. Older team members a local food pantry. Pablo Paxtor Fessenden School 11-year journey through the program were also given opportunities to lead squash Yeisy Velasquez Episcopal High School by becoming first-generation college practices and mixed-age field trips. As 11th Above Fatima and Liliana cheer on their teammates graduates. Among them, Stacy Maceda grade team member Roberto Cruz shared, during one of CitySquash’s Team-Building Days. won the James Henderson Award “Team-building has helped make us all feel Below Campfires at the Lake Placid Team-Building which recognizes a member of the more comfortable with each other so we can COLLEGE Wilderness Retreat provided opportunities for team Hobart & William Smith graduating confide in each other when we need help.” members to gain a deeper appreciation for each other. class who best embodies a love of Pedro Flores NYC College of Technology learning and athletics. Laura Polanco Perla Flores SUNY New Paltz also made her mark as she became Victoria Haghighi Bates College the first CitySquash graduate to earn Chris Lucero Hamilton College a degree in a STEM discipline when Vanessa Lucero Franklin & Marshall College she graduated from Lafayette College Tanya Mendoza Connecticut College with a degree in biology. She is now a Research Laboratory Technician at David Michaca NYC College of Technology the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Dylan Ram City College as she works towards fulfilling her Juan Santos Middlebury College long-term goal of becoming a Sh-Kyrah Stevens Brooklyn College Biodefense Engineer. Xitlali Zuniga St. Lawrence University Congratulations to our team members for their successful school placements and graduations! THE BOAST • DECEMBER 2019 THE BOAST • DECEMBER 2019

BOARD IN THEIR OWN WORDS BROOKLYN OF DIRECTORS Excerpts from Admissions Essays Sanford M. Schwartz IS BOOMING Founder & Chair CitySquash’s second site rolls into its fifth year. Kim Huchro President An Urban Youth Nick Burgin CitySquash’s Brooklyn site wrapped up its fourth year with much to celebrate. Enrichment Program Silvia Campo VANESSA ZOE LIU LUCERO Remarkably, all nine Brooklyn team Buzz Doherty on the influence www.citysquash.org members who applied to private schools were Teri Galluccio on breaking out of her her squash coach successfully placed for the coming year. Of this Mailing Address David Ganek shell and embracing has had on her. group, Zoe Liu becomes the first CitySquasher University, and took in many cultural sites as P.O. Box 619 Michael Luskin opportunities. to enroll at the Packer Collegiate Institute and Giana McIntosh is the first to attend Concord part of their Spring Enrichment Tours to The Fordham Station Ben Mandel Academy. On the squash court, Dominik Carolinas, Boston and Providence. Bronx, NY 10458 Gerry Murray Budny, Jesus Fierro, Randy Guzman, and This upcoming year marks a time of (718) 220-7400 Peter Nicol Pablo Paxtor teamed up to successfully growth and transition for the site. We look FRESHMAN AT FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE 9TH GRADER AT PACKER COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE defend their Middle School Boys title at Urban forward to continuing to strengthen our [email protected] Jerry Ouderkirk Team Nationals. relationships with our partner schools, My first few months as a new 8th grader at Indian Mountain Coach Raheem has given me confidence and the ability to Julia Pershan In the classroom, CitySquash’s Character PAVE Academy and M.S. 136, as we increase School were difficult. Overwhelmed by the newness, I stayed believe in myself. Whenever we doubt ourselves, he adds the Sarah Robertson Education Curriculum was woven into the our Brooklyn enrollment to 60. We are also quiet and struggled with participation in classes and with my word “yet.” Before every practice we repeat the phrase, “I am reading of Rad Women Worldwide, which very excited to welcome Manny Vega to the UPCOMING Gillian Steel peers…. When things were difficult, I thought back to my parents capable of great things” three times. He always tells us that profiles inspirational figures who have shaped staff as Brooklyn’s new Program Director and the sacrifices they made for me by leaving Mexico. These even if we don’t have the things we want right now, we should EVENTS Laura Trevelyan SUMMER a group of six CitySquash team members over history. Our 8th graders capped off the year and Craig Alder as the site’s Director of thoughts inspired me to play new sports and instruments, meet look at the things we do have and not take anything for granted Brian Walsh 1,000 miles around the Great Lakes. with a “Semicolon Project” that provided an Academics. Manny brings to CitySquash years new people from diverse backgrounds, and become a tutor for because it can disappear at any moment. All these phrases Our Bronx and Brooklyn sites were also opportunity for each student to share with of experience in youth development, most Briggs Cup Jeffrey P. Wiegand preschoolers in our school…. Eventually, I delivered speeches have changed my mentality in the ways that I approach life. LOVIN’ buzzing with activity as team members spent their families and fellow teammates their recently having held senior positions at Oliver December 6-9 Tim Wyant at school gatherings, played tag in the playground with the Whenever I’m struggling, I always tell myself to get back Team members traveled far and full days with CitySquash staff and summer reflections on their past, present, and future. Scholars, and Craig is an experienced educator, preschoolers, and received an award for being captain of my up and continue. Whenever I start doubting myself, I am Apawamis Club, Rye wide to explore new places and make counselors in the classrooms and on the Finally, Brooklyn team members also visited having previously taught in the Baltimore squash team. Little by little, I began to break out of my shell as constantly reminding myself of the wonderful friends and squash courts. They also received instruction new friends. the campuses of UNC Chapel Hill and Brown public school system. TopSpin for I integrated myself with the diverse school community. family that I have supporting me. from partner organizations such as Planned CitySquash BROOKLYN Parenthood, the New York Botanical Garden, BOARD and Live Healthy. Our high school students Above Jesus’s hard work in the December 11 Buzz Doherty CitySquashers worked hard and played prepared for the ACT, fine-tuned their college classroom and on the squash Metropolitan Pavilion, Chair hard this summer. In total, 101 team members essays, and visited nine campuses. Finally, as courts earned him CitySquasher NYC participated in academic, squash and outdoor part of the inaugural Alumni Speaker Series, of the Year honors. Elyse Douglas overnight camps that took them from the Edgardo Gonzalez, Freddy Hernandez, Left Kimberly, Angelina, CitySquash Talent Adam Dresher campuses of Dartmouth, Taft, and Stanford, Tanesha Jackson, Antonio Mendez and Jasmin, and Ashanti Show Jean Ervasti STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS to the peaks of the Catskills, Berkshires, and Mariela Mendoza shared funny anecdotes share a lighter moment White Mountains. A few students were even from their time in the program and inspired during practice. December 17 Mike Gantcher lucky enough to travel abroad. Kimberly Lucero the next generation of CitySquashers to dream Middle School 45, Bronx Rachel Hines JALIA CUFFEE JAMES OWENS JR. spent a month touring Australia as part of her big and never give up! Brooklyn Racquet Stephanie Ingrassia capstone experience with Becket-Chimney Peter Kelly She is in the 5th grade He is in the 8th grade at Corners YMCA. Biby Abrego, Elizabeth Above Roberto and Judah took Ceremony Barroso and Jesse Brew traveled to England to Ben Oliner at P.S. 205 in the Bronx PAVE Academy in Brooklyn part in the rigorous five-week December 19 and is a rising star on and is an inquisitive take part in CitySquash Squash Director Bryan Access Exeter summer program Poly Prep Country Day Meredeth Quick Patterson’s Universal Squash Camp. And if his thanks to the partnership between the squash court. AGE thinker who leads AGE School, Brooklyn Spencer Robertson summer was not busy enough, Bryan also led his the Squash + Education Alliance 10 by example. 13 fourth multi-week bike tour, where he guided and . Laura Trevelyan The Bash May 28, 2020 University Club, NYC Years in CitySquash 2 Years in CitySquash 5 JUNIOR BOARD CITYSQUASH BY THE NUMBERS Favorite Subject Math Favorite Subject Math Keith Merrill Chair Favorite Book Heartbeat by Sharon Creech Favorite Book The Crossover by Kwame Alexander CITYSQUASH John Beam Favorite Food Mac & Cheese STAFF Favorite Food Mac & Cheese Courtney Bogle Hidden Talent Cooking Terence Li Hidden Talent Gymnastics Brian Cady Would love to travel to Dubai Executive Director Would love to travel to Australia Lauren Chu What I love about Brooklyn The restaurants, theater, and culture Alexandra Boillot What I love about the Bronx That CitySquash is here Program Director, Gabriella Garr Hero Mom Bronx Sam Haig Hero My dad and mom Academic Achievement Honor Roll Manny Vega Chris Hanson Academic Achievement Jumping two reading levels in the 4th 1 Squash Achievement Winning my match to propel my team to a Program Director, Katie Harrison grade (with the help of my CitySquash tutor) 107 3rd place finish at Urban Team Nationals 100% 37 84 Brooklyn Ripley Hartmeyer Squash Achievement Coming in 2nd in the Elementary School Favorite CitySquash trip Spring Tour in the South where we got Craig Alder Gray Huffard CitySquash Closed Championships Director of Academics, to volunteer at a local farm in Charleston, tour and learn about of CitySquash high school high school and college squash Urban National Squash titles team members have Brooklyn Manuela Perez Favorite CitySquash trip Urban Team Nationals at Yale Charleston’s history, and visit UNC Chapel Hill students have graduated from teams have been captained by won by CitySquashers, been admitted to selective Elizabeth Schetman Giustina Charbonneau Life Goal To become a professional gymnast Life Goal To become a professional athlete high school. a CitySquasher. more than any other urban prep schools. Director of High School Scott Sill squash program. Academics Charlotte Steel Cory Litman Madeleine Sullivan Assistant Director of Squash Jordyn Matthews RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Director of Elementary BOARD OF School Academics ADVISORS Team members take home squash titles and accolades. $25 Liam Culman Charlie Merrill MM+ 92% 98% Director of Placement, Danielle Ganek 43 CitySquash team members were busy testing their Bronx Annamaria Giordano competitive mettle during the 2018-2019 season, taking Colin Murfree Larry Hilbert part in 36 tournaments with 451 total tournament in financial aid scholarships of team members have become of CitySquash high school college students have entries! Seven team members represented their Director of Middle Carol Ann Rosado have been awarded to gainfully employed within six graduates have gone on competed for their school’s college teams in Division I competition and 23 team School Academics CitySquash high school and months of college graduation. to college. varsity squash team. Josh Schwartz members competed in the interscholastic ranks. college students. Anna O’Keefe Elizabeth da At Urban Nationals, CitySquash took home Director of College Trindade-Asher six more titles with our Elementary School Access & Success Girls, Elementary School Boys, and Middle Bryan Patterson School Boys winning their respective team Director of Squash divisions, and Ashley Amaro, Lizbeth HONORARY Barroso, and Caleb Boateng taking home Valeria Quan BOARD individual titles. Program Associate For the first time, CitySquash also William Douglass Grace Saliba had team members recognized as US Squash Director of Placement, Anne Harrison Scholar Athletes. Congratulations to Caleb 63% 8,064 Boateng, Giselle Ciriaco, Karla Dominguez, 109 9 Brooklyn Stephen Mandel Victoria Haghighi, Chris Lucero, Kimberly Left tk Joseph M. McShane Anne Tierney Lucero, and Tanya Mendoza for earning academic enrichment, outdoor, of high school graduates Miles traveled on bike by alumni serve as mentors Director of Operations Richard Millman this distinction! or squash camp spots were have attended colleges rated Squash Director Bryan to current CitySquash team Alex Vitek Jonathon Power secured this past summer for “most” or “highly” competitive Patterson on the four tours he members. Volunteer Coordinator Joseph Solanto Right Evelin, Sachary, Linda, and Fatima team members. by Barron’s. has led for CitySquashers. competed alongside 60 other CitySquashers at Urban Team Nationals. playing #1ontheirvarsity squashteam. at Connecticut College inadditionto Billy isastandout track andfield athlete Spring EnrichmentTours. to Utahaspartofourannual Some team membersjourneyed Juan andhisfamily celebrate hisPoly Audrius Barzdukas andhiswife, Rose. Prep graduation withHeadmaster

P.O. Box 619 Fordham Station Bronx, NY 10458 CitySquash alums. Tim Ingrassia surrounded by Bash Honorees Stephanie and Ricardo designtheirown bridge. helped Valeria, Rodrigo, and Engineers Without Borders bike tour withBryan Patterson. a pitstop ontheirGreat Lakes Eslin, Kevin, andMelanieenjoy THE BOAST •

DECEMBER AT A GLANCE the values oftheBrunswick School. Award for thefreshman whobest embodies Caleb earnedtheWilliam DurkinAlumni skills inActivity Club. her pumpkincarving Michelle shows off

CitySquash is a not-for-profit youth program based in the 2019 Bronx at Fordham University and in Brooklyn at Poly Prep TEAM MEMBERS Country Day School. We help motivated young people YEAR IN from economically disadvantaged households fulfill their REVIEW academic, athletic, and personal potential. TOTAL FIVE KEY GOALS THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR STUDENTS + = ENROLLMENT ARE THAT THEY: 240 117 123 • Develop upstanding character

• Improve their academic performance become afirst-generation college graduate. & William Smithgraduation capfor helpingher Stacy thankshermomanddadonHobart • Become competitive squash players WHERE • Attend high quality high schools PRIVATE SCHOOL • Graduate from college THEY ARE

13% Trevelyan-Goldston Family. Awards Party hosted by the Brea cools offat theYear-End

Founded in 2002, CitySquash serves 240 elementary, middle, high COLLEGE school and college students. For our 18% participants, CitySquash is an intensive, of CitySquashServes. up Crotona Park aspart Linda andNioby cleaned year-round commitment that starts as early as 3rd grade and lasts through college graduation. Our programming BRONX includes squash, tutoring, mentoring, 49% community service, travel, high school BROOKLYN placement, college prep, career 20% services and more.