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After School Tennis News
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Thanks to the dedication, time and efforts of our wonderful After School Tennis instructors and volunteers, Youth Tennis San Diego is proudly celebrating our 20th year of the After School Tennis Program.

Over 115,000 children have participated in the AST Program since it began in 1989. Today we offer this program at over 100 schools and park and recreation sites throughout San Diego County. More than 90 percent of the children involved in the program are on a scholarship provided by YTSD; equipment and even clothing are furnished free of charge.

Through the past 20 years the AST Program has encouraged youth participation, personal integrity, leadership and competitive spirit in a friendly environment helping to build responsible citizens. YTSD is proud of our success and thankful for everyone who has helped create such a wonderful program.

History in the Making: First-hand news on previous AST Players and where they are today: Jason Voss and Chris Proctor participated in AST at Oak Grove in Jamul, then volunteered at Hillsdale High School and assisted AST Coach Judy Inskeep. Read this story to see where they are now.

"Star AST Schools"

"Star Schools" are nominated based on students display of participation, personal integrity, leadership and a competitive spirit in a friendly environment.

February 2010

Toler Elementary School

Instructor: Lynn Norton

AST Instructor since July 2006

Locations: Toler Elementary and Holmes Elementary

"I love to be involved in any Physical Education Training with children. I coached both Tennis and Softball. AST gives me the opportunity to teach a game that I love to play and show the kids how to be active and have fun playing, too."

What makes you smile on and off the court?

"Seeing the kids improve with each class and have them tell me how much they love the game. Having the kids ask me if they can challenge me to a game at the end of the class."

-Lynn Norton

Quotes from the students:

"I love tennis because it is so much fun and Ms. Lynn is so nice. She has taught me alot."

-Victoria, age 9

"I like After School Tennis because it is one of the funnest things I do. Ms. Lynn is one of the greatest coaches ever! I also love the tennis games I have played"

-Anthony, age 10

"I love tennis because it's an active sport. I love my coach because she says good job for everything."

-Jack, age 9

January 2010

Rosa Parks Elementary School

Instructor: Santiago Jaquez

AST Instructor since July 2007

Locations: Rosa Parks Elementary, Urban Village Recreation Center (City Heights)

"The AST Program has given me the opportunity to tell the children from UVRC my goal. I have said to them, I am going to work for edification, pleasure and differentiation because I don't want to be one of the people Voltaire talks about in his book, The Princess of Babylon. Here he says, 'Decadence was brought about by doing work too easily and being too lazy to do it well.'."

What makes you smile on and off the court?

"This usually happens when I see that some players are not making any effort to get to the tennis ball. At this moment I say 'this is not a walking game, this is a running game! If I see somebody not moving his feet, everybody will run two hundred laps!' After that is said, everybody not only gets to the ball, but everybody begins to put the ball over the net as well. And that makes me laugh."

-Santiago Jaquez

Quotes from the students:

"I love to be with Coach Santiago because he is so nice and he wants to learn more with us. Coach Santiago is also respectful with us. Santiago is so nice."

-Stephanie, age 9

"I love tennis because Coach Santiago helps you get better in tennis. Thank you Coach Santiago."

-Kelly, age 9

"I love tennis because I like hitting the balls and getting them over the net."

-Jazmin