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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.

July 2010

Pacific Beach Elementary

Instructor:  Kim Thompson

AST Instructor since 2008

Current Location:  Pacific Beach Elementary (previously taught at Urban Village)

 

"I enjoy teaching for AST because it gives me a chance to expose many children to the game of tennis for the first time.  I love to see their enthusiasm and enjoyment of the game.  I also enjoy watching their sense of accomplishment as they gain mastery over new skills.

I have always really enjoyed kids and that is why I pursued my Masters in social work and specialized in children's mental health. I feel that YTSD provides children from all different backgrounds an avenue to increase their self esteem, develop their ability to work as a team and to teach sportsmanship.  I feel that these skills are transferable to other areas of their lives and that they will increase the student's likelihood of success in a variety of arenas."  Kim Thompson

 

 

Quotes from the students:

"I love tennis because I love Mrs. Kim."

-Daniela, age 7

 

"I like playing tennis because of the extra practice and awesome exercise!"

-Ashley

 

"I like hitting the balls because they go fast."

-Arry, age 8

 

 

June 2010

Nye Elementary

Instructor:  James N. Irby

AST Instructor since July 2000

Current Location:  Nye Elementary

 

"I've been teaching AST at Nye Elementary for about 9 years.  Nye was recently named Distinguished School for the 2010-2011 school year, a great honor.  I took over the AST program from Frank Lucero when he moved to another site to teach." - James N. Irby

 

  What makes you smile on and off the court?

"Watching the students grow up into caring teenagers makes me smile.  And occasionally seeing them on local high school tennis teams in the area is a real kick.  I try to make some matches if my schedule permits."  - James N. Irby

 

Quotes from the students:

"I started tennis because I admire Mr. Irby and my Dad.  Also, it is fun!"

-Charyna, age 9

 

"I love tennis because it is so cool and it is good for your health.  It involves sportsmanship that you need to be nice and good-hearted.  It's fun to hit the tennis ball back to the other person and maybe you lose or win, but it's all about the sportsmanship."

-Kyle, age 10

 

May 2010

Bethune School

Instructor:  Frank Lucero

AST Instructor since July 1990

(One of the original instructors hired by Kathy Willette)

Current Location:  Bethune School - Elementary and Middle School

 

"I have started AST programs at Daillard Elementary in the San Carlos area, at Nye Elementary, Standley Middle School in the University City area, and currently at Bethune K - 8 School in the Paradise Hills area. I have been coaching at Bethune School for two years."

"The AST program gives the community an opportunity to experience a sport where sportsmanship, physical fitness, and sense of family are valued and emphasized." - Frank Lucero

 

  What makes you smile on and off the court?

"On the court I really enjoy seeing family members (parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts) attending and watching the kids play in the AST activities at the Barnes Tennis Center because the tennis environment is something many family members experience for the first time."

 

"Off the court, I enjoy meeting some of my former tennis players and their families. Although I am a math teacher, everyone remembers me as the "tennis coach" at Nye, Bethune, Daillard, and Standley schools. When we talk about tennis, it really brings back a HUGE smile because they have fond memories of the AST Program." 

 

"I really want to express my gratitude towards the numerous volunteers and financial contributions made by community members in supporting the AST Program and session activities. The majority of the AST kids would NEVER have had the opportunity to play tennis without this support. I know that many of my former AST participants have gone on to play high school tennis, college tennis, and continue to play as adults with their families."  -Frank Lucero

 

 Quotes from the students:

"Dear Sponsors, Thank you for helping us be the best we could be at tennis. Thank you for donating racquets and tennis balls. Thanks to you I learned the two handed backhand, how to serve and how to keep points. Thank you. Sincerely,

-Khalil

 

"I like tennis because I really like running up and down the court.  It's also really fun and exciting.

-Apriljoy

 

 

April 2010

Phoenix House

Instructor:  Judy Inskeep

AST Instructor since July 1986

Current Locations:  Phoenix House, Oak Grove Middle School

 

Phoenix House has served communities in California since 1979, helping thousands of individuals each year to overcome the problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse and lead healthy, productive and rewarding lives.  Some 1,200 adults and teenagers receive treatment each day through more than 18 Phoenix House programs throughout California.  While treating each client with respect and compassion, and addressing their individual needs, Phoenix House professional, well-trained staff offers over a million days of service every year.

 

Read more about Phoenix House.

 

"I have been with After School Tennis from the start. I started with Oak Grove in 1986. I have been with the Phoenix House for two years. I love working with the kids and watching them realize they can do it. It is so rewarding when they get it.

On those cold late afternoons when they don't want to quit, and they just keep playing, and one of the kids say, 'can't we just play a few more minutes, coach', you realize they really do love it. You think to yourself, 'the heck with dinner getting done on time.' As you walk off the court with the kids, you hear them say again and again, 'thanks coach....we really do love tennis.'

Tennis is a life long sport, something you can play almost anywhere at any age. I just wish more kids had the opportunity to play."

-Judy Inskeep

 Quotes from the students:

"Today was my first day playing tennis and it was a lot of fun. I hope I come back every week."

-Austin, age 16

 

"I appreciate the fact that Judy comes up here to play tennis with is. She always brings with her a positive attitude and it really helps me. I really enjoy playing tennis with Judy."

-John, age 16

 

March 2010

Holmes Elementary School

Instructor:  Lynn Norton

AST Instructor since July 2006

Locations:  Holmes Elementary and Toler Elementary 

 

What makes you smile on and off the court?

  "I love AST and look forward to the two days a week at both of my schools."

-Lynn Norton

 Quotes from the students:

"I like tennis because it is an active sport and it's a real workout and my grandfather played it."

-Jacob

 

"I love tennis because it is fun and it makes me active."

-Alex

 

"I like tennis because it is cool and it rocks."

-Karyna

 

"I love tennis because it is good for your body and Coach Lynn is the best teacher in the world!"

-Charlie

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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