This party was as much for the parents as it was for the kids. It takes POSITIVE parents to make this program be as successful as it is. We had 163 sandsharks this year and that's the largest team we've had for awhile. So, parents, thank you so much for your support and help. And this THANK YOU goes out especially to the Party Coordinators: Viki Sands and Ruth Klimpl and the Team Coordinators: Girls-Viki Sands and Gail Fialkow, Boys-Mary Jane Drake and 10's Leisa Clark. Also to all the parents who helped drive the kids to the away games.
After our meal we got all the anxious kids around the trophy table. Their eyes were gleaming with anticipation and excitement. It really is an awesome sight. The Graduation Certificates were given out to the kids that passed their evaluation. I'm so proud of these kids because they are nervous and they've usually been there before and finally they've made it. I know it's a trying experience but I also feel it's a great learning experience in life for them. If you don't succeed don't give up, try again...IMUA-"Go Forward"...
Then we celebrated the GIRLS NORTHERN VIRGINIA TENNIS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP by giving out trophies to those girls that played in the matches. They were UNDEFEATED!!! Julia Park, Sara Berenson, Angie Holden, Myra Perez, Janelle Porter, Theresa Kim, Lauren Fialkow, Hillary Clark, Natalie Porter, Shanna Hoar, Lyndsay McKeever, Annie Powers, Heather Ward, Michaela Sands, Olivia Barry, Lizzie Dioquino, Kerry Johnson. Then it was the 10 & Under NORTHERN VIRGINIA TENNIS CHAMPIONS and they were also UNDEFEATED: Alex Clark, Chris Drake, Daniel Sands, Mason Barry, Tara Fialkow and Joe Harrington.
Next we did the participation trophies-4inches to 30 inches. The 30 inch trophies went to Chris Drake, Shanna Hoar and Alex Clark. Next were the Tournament winners and you could check them out HERE: The coaches enjoy selecting the SUPERLATIVES. They go through very heated analytical discussions for these selections. The only criteria is that no one can win two positions. IMUA-Anna Corrigan, Dillion Meyers; Hot Dog of the Year-Mason Barry, Annie Powers; Espirit de Corps-Tommy Ringwood, Michaela Sands; Sportsmanship-Danny Drake, Lauren Fialkow; Most Improved-Richard Klimpl, Lizzie Dioquino; MVP-Shanna Hoar, Steve Myers; Coaches Award: Javier Esteves, Mayra Perez.
Last but not least are the coaches. I am very proud of them for what they teach the kids. I feel they teach great basic tennis. Have you ever seen tennis coaches break down each stroke and step so the kids understand what and how to do it? And, have you seen tennis coaches explain what and why the students aren't hitting the ball correctly? Our coaches do. But, more importantly to me is the way the coaches make it fun for the kids. I believe this is why kids enjoy the program. It also makes tennis easier to learn when it's fun. Thanks COACHES: Kimo, Misty, Kekoa, McKenzie, Kelly and Sara.
I would like to thank you all for the generous gifts and kind words. You and your families make our tennis program SECOND TO NONE and as long as we have POSITIVE support OUR program will continue to be SUCCESSFUL. Wish you all a great summer and school year. Aloha, Gordon
