VERO BEACH — To celebrate his 30th birthday Friday, Mardy Fish gave Vero Beach a great big present – the sixth annual Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest. Before the main event though, Fish took time out for his littlest fans with a visit to the Vero Beach Elementary School, one of 13 schools supported through the Mardy Fish Foundation and the Jake Owen Foundation.
“Mardy and Jake wanted to make sure these are enrichment type programs – things they cannot get through their regular classes,” explained Ellie Fincher, Mardy Fish Foundation program director, noting that programs at the various schools range from fitness and nutrition to music and the arts. “No two schools have the exact same programs. We want to make sure that on top of everything, there is someplace where children are safe after school.”
Notified of his arrival, students began rhythmically stomping their feet on the bleachers, shouting his name and squealing in glee as Fish appeared. The students then belted out an exuberant rendition of Happy Birthday and presented him with balloons, and in honor of the occasion, Principal Bonnie Swanson arranged to have enough birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.
Seated in the bleachers, Fish was entertained by singers, under the direction of Heidi Evans, and dancers, directed by Rachel Serra and Leslie Connolly. The school also has a gardening program coordinated by art teacher Wendy Alexander and has plans for an additional art program repurposing found objects.
“They have been so excited; they can hardly keep their feet on the ground,” said Mrs. Jones, a 5th grade teacher. A little girl who began playing tennis because of Fish was moved to tears after meeting her hero and getting his autograph.
Fish thanked his young fans saying, “It’s very special for us to come home to Vero Beach where we grew up; where you are growing up.”
“It started around the kitchen table,” said his father Tom Fish. “We wanted to build a school; a charter school. That’s still the goal. But the time after school is such an important time to fill.”
In its first year, the foundation funded a tennis program at the Pelican Island Elementary School. Next music was added because of Jake Owen, and the program now reaches more than 2000 students in 13 schools.
“We never imagined it would grow like this. Luckily Mardy has a lot of friends,” said his mother Sally Fish before the start of the Kids Clinic at Grand Harbor of the tennis stars participating in the event. “We put them up at Windsor and they love it here. It’s just been terrific. We’re just thrilled all the little kids are getting involved with sports and all the other activities.”
“All of the pros are volunteering their time,” said Kristen Fettig-Wilson, a teaching pro at Windsor and the Foundation’s Kids on Courts program director.
Mike Rahley facilitated the Kids Clinic and other pros participating included Brad Leu, Tom Cutone, and Kevin Scott all from Sea Oaks; Magnus Gustafsson, The Moorings; Ed Sharpe, Quail Valley; Jony Leitenbauer, Windsor; Jim Buck, Orchid; Allison Mayz, Dean Mayz and Mike Dougherty all from the Kids on Court program, and Tiffany Buckley, a USTA member.
The Kids on Courts program includes summer camps, a tournament, after school tennis for ages 10 and under throughout the year, a Sunday match play program, and the kids clinic. Proud parents and grandparents lined the courts, encouraging their budding stars and marking for prosperity via videos cameras the time their little ones got to play with a legend.
Fish and friends next moved on to a western-themed reception at the Grand Harbor Clubhouse, where guests could bid on a whole host of items, hobnob with tennis greats and graze on an extensive buffet filled with gourmet goodies.
“It’s been in the works for a while, but the website just launched a couple of months ago,” said Fish’s wife Stacey of the Lauren Lynne jewelry collection she was selling to benefit the Foundation. An attorney in California, she designed the collection with her sister Gina.
“I think it’s all been fantastic,” said Steve Owen, who earlier in the day had taken twin sons Jake and Jarrod Owen quail hunting. “It’s gratifying to watch these two guys who grew up as friends and who still get together for this event. Their lives and schedules are so hectic; getting together for this is one of the best times of the years for them.”
Later as Fish addressed the gathering he echoed those sentiments saying, “This is the most fun weekend for us. To see what we are doing at the schools and to see the kids’ faces and the teachers’ faces; we thank you for all your support.”
As further examples of the wonderful programs, students from the Pelican Island Elementary School performed at the reception, and later at the tennis exhibition there were performances by students from Pelican Island, Sebastian and Treasure Coast Elementary Schools.
Rain put a damper on the exhibition, but not before Fish managed to beat Sam Querrey in the first set, and then, joined by Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams, defeated the doubles team of Mike Bryan and Melanie Oudin. As the clay court took on the slickness of a potters throwing wheel, the matchup between Fish and Querrey against the Bryan brothers was eventually cancelled.
Jake Owen stepped out onto the court for a final round of thanks to the drenched crowd, no doubt keeping fingers crossed for clearer skies for tonight’s concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Holman Stadium.
