News
Saturday April 5th: Community Service Potomac Clean Up Day
Saturday March 29th: Squash practice at Results Gym 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
Saturday March 15th: DC Squash Academy went to the Prince's Court at the International Tennis Club of Washington in McLean, VA.
Saturday March 8th DC Squash Academy visited the Frederick Douglass House.
March 1 DC Squash Academy competes in standout Cristian Salazar competes in 9th Annual Potomac Fever squash tournament at Potomac Squash Club.
Cristian showed detemination, sportsmanship and character and eventually won the Consolation draw of the 3.5 division. In addition Potomac gave free entry to DCSA 7th graders Sunny Keita and Tokunbo Adedeinde who competed in their first official, sanctioned tournament. Thanks to Potomac Squash Club and tournament organizer Alejandra Ganoza for their generosity and for a great weekend of squash.
March 1 DC Squash Academy Teamtravels to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Thanks to Naval Academy coach Criag Dawson for arranging a tour of the Academy and for providing DCSA with a guide for the day. Team members spent the day watching National Intercollegiate Championship matches and we treated tour given by Midshipman Michael Beautyman or Mike as the kids came to call him. We were treated to a great of squash and tales of extraordinary Naval Academy midshipman who valiantly served our county.
February 23 DC Squash Academy Team spends an afternoon at Episcopal High School in Alexandria.
Thank you Episcopal High School and to girl's varsity coach Jaye Gregory for arranging a full afternoon of squash and for recruiting Episcopal players to work with DC Squash Academy team members. The practice included plenty of squash as well as relay races and even a little dancing.
February 15-17 Woodruff-Nee Squash Tournament at University Club The weekend included competition for all levels and age group competition in hardball as well as a party Saturday night at the University Club 1135 16th St. NW.
February 9 -DC Squash Academy Team visits the Prince's Court at Sport and Health in McLean, VA.
DC Squash Academy volunteer Temple Grassi hosts an afternoon of court tennis in McLean. DCSA team members learn about and play the original game of tennis with Prince's Court professional Ivan Ronaldson. Thank you to Temple Grassi for putting this great afternoon with one of the world's most original games. The DCSA team looks forward to its next visit.
WISPA Capitol Hill Open Women's Professional Squash Tournament at Results Gym - Capitol Hill
Silent Auction to Benefit DC Squash Academy at Gore Dean (3214 O St. NW in Georgetown) Saturday January 12th
The evening was a great success with live music by the Wynne brothers along with great food. Singer and DCSA volunteer Maris Wicker and pianist Michael Crabill perform "From Ellington to Sondheim - A Cabaret Evening" to Benefit DC Squash Academy
On Thursday November 15th at The University Club, singer and DCSA volunteer Maris Wicker performed an evening cabaret to benefit DC Squash Academy. Guests included DCSA students, parents, volunteers and University Club members. Proceeds from the event went to DC Squash Academy. For more information about Maris Wicker visit www.mariswicker.com. Thank you to Maris Wicker for her generosity and willingness to share her talents and thank you to the University Club for providing a great venue and their continued support of DC Squash Academy.
The cabaret event will be held at the University Club of Washington DC at 1135 16th Street NW (between L & M Streets). Valet parking is available. Tickets are $40 and include drinks and light hors d'oevres. Proceeds from the evening will benefit DC Squash Academy. For more information, visit www.mariswicker.com. For reservations, please contact Norbert Kupinski at the University Club at nkupinski@universityclubdc.com.
1st Annual DC Squash Academy Pumpkins and Squash Festival
On Sunday October 21st DC Squash Academy held the first annual Pumpkins and Squash Festival at the Jelleff Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Washington (Georgetown). The day included live music from five groups, food, games, face and pumpkin painting and a raffle that included weekend vacations, use of a vacation home in Florida, a flat screen tv and spa treatments. The event was the brainchild of DC Squash Academy board member Sally Hamlin. Thank you Sally and the organizing committee. Over 300 people participated and over $4000 was raised. We look forward to the 2nd Annual Pumpkins and Squash Festival.
Bass-Baritone Richard Michael Slater Performs Concert to Benefit D.C. Squash Academy
On Monday, April 23 at The University Club, bass- baritone Richard Michael Slater will perform a concert to benefit DC Squash Academy, featuring music by Schubert, Schumann, Handel, Ives and Vaughn-Williams.
The event will be held at The University Club, 1135 16th Street, NW (between L and M Streets). The evening will begin at 6:30 pm with cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres. The performance will start promptly at 7:30 pm. After the concert, liquors, dessert and coffee will be served.
Tickets are $35 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.
If you would like more information on event, please contact info@dcsquashacademy.org. You may also contact Norbert Kupinski at The University Club at (202) 862-8800.
Cocktail Reception, May 3
Join us Thursday, May 3, 6:30-9:30 pm, for a cocktail reception on the rooftop of The University Club, 1135 16th Street, NW (between L and M Streets).
There will be an open bar and raffle. Prizes include a lesson with former World #1 player Natalie Grainger, Washington Nationals tickets, and much more. It promises to be a memorable evening!
A special thank-you goes to our sponsors, The University Club and Anheuser Busch.
Tickets are $30/person and include an open bar with beer and wine. A portion of each ticket is tax deductible.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact DC Squash Academy at info@dcsquashacademy.org or (202) 494-6065. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
University Club of Washington, DC, Recognized As Philanthropic Leader
Washington, D.C. - In recognition of its leadership in Washington-area philanthropy, the University Club of Washington, DC, was honored at the fifth annual National Capital Philanthropy Day on Friday, November 3.
[read entire announcement] (pdf)
DC Squash Academy Hires Mark Lewis As Executive Director
Mark Lewis has recently joined DC Squash Academy as its Executive Director. A former professional squash player who was ranked number 2 in the US, Mark comes to DC Squash Academy from the Union Boat Club in Boston, where he was also the head coach of the US Men's Junior National Team.
DC Squash Academy Launches Program with Second School
"We have only 25 minutes left? I want to play more!"... so exclaimed one of the newest participants in DC Squash Academy's after-school program during our first session with Brent students.
On April 24, 2006, DC Squash Academy launched its program with a second school, The Robert Brent Elementary School. Seven fourth graders play squash and do fitness drills on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The students are so enthusiastic that their teacher came to watch a practice because she had heard so many good things about the program. The students are quickly picking up the game under the expert guidance of coaches Brian O'Hora and Wendy Lawrence, and volunteer coaches Nick Echeverria, Alex Gross, Joe Powden, Russell Powden, Allison McDonough and Elizabeth Dupree.
The students will start academic tutoring, along with their squash instruction, in the fall.
DC Squash Academy Participates in Stokes School's Annual Science Fair
All of our Stokes team members entered their school's science fair held on March 10. Our tutors worked closely with the students to help them design and present their projects, which ranged from "Properties of Liquid" to "Static Electricity" to "The Effects of Helium versus Air on the Speed of a Balloon". Each student received honorable mention for his/her work!
DC Squash Academy's Sally Hamlin arranged for four scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency to judge the event. A special thanks to the judges - Lindsey Bender, Schatzi Fitz-James, Behram Shroff and Brian Litteton - for making the fair even more special. Congratulations to the students for their excellent work.
Fun, Cultural Outings
Over the last few months, the Stokes children have gone on a number of fun and cultural outings. On April 29, Temple Grassi arranged a wonderful afternoon of court tennis - both playing and watching - for Stokes children.
The children have also gone to the circus and bowling. As always, a very special thank you to Sally Hamlin for coordinating these fantastic outings, and to our volunteer chaperones, in particular Brooks and Dean Armandroff, Bobby Cabellero, Patricia Galarcie, Chris Incardona and Sheila Katoff
DC Squash Academy Hosts "Road to Playing College Squash"
On April 29, DC Squash Academy organized the "Road to Playing College Squash", a forum held at The Potomac School which was open to all DC-area junior squash players and their parents. Bob Callahan, Men's Varsity Squash Coach at Princeton University (#2 ranked US team), addressed over 50 people and focused on how to contact a college squash coach, evaluate a college squash program and understand the NCAA recruiting rules for college squash players.
Stokes Students Visit Farm in Virginia
On December 10, Sally Hamlin and Dean Armandroff took ten fourth graders from the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School on a field trip to Lynn Sullivan's beautiful farm in Warrenton, VA. Thanks to Ms. Sullivan's generosity, the children spent the day riding horses and eating a delicious lunch. After lunch, the children bought Christmas presents for their mothers, compliments of Ms. Sullivan.
This was a truly special day that will leave a lasting and positive impression on all who attended. We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Ms. Sullivan for her generosity and graciousness!
Two Team Members Participate in Washington DC Squash League
Cristian Salazar (age 13) and Jay Braithwite (age 10) are playing in the Washington DC squash league as part of the University Club's Division Six team. Cristian, who has graduated from Stokes and is now in middle school, has been a regular player on the team for several months and has played as high as the team's number two position. In December, he also played in a nationally sanctioned junior squash tournament. Jay recently played in his first league match at the University of Maryland.
Both Jay and Cristian are hardworking, bright young men whose enthusiasm and sportsmanship have been an asset to the DC Squash Academy program. Coach Ghirma Meres describes them as "always smiling... happy guys who love the game of squash." Through their hard work, both boys are improving their games rapidly.
Help make a difference in the life of a Stokes student!
October 18th marked the beginning of the first ever UC collaborative tutoring program with the Elsie Stokes Charter Elementary school at 16th and Park St. in Adams Morgan. Led by Sally Hamlin and Dean Armandroff, academic tutoring provides Stokes team members with the opportunity to improve their academic skills. The tutors meet their proteges on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in a classroom at the school. Plans are underway to expand this program and bring a small Stokes group to the UC on Saturday mornings. Tutor volunteers are needed.
