VERO BEACH — Select middle school and high school students have been volunteering time at the Vero Beach Tennis Club over the last three Saturdays, assisting younger kids with games and activities on the tennis court.
These young adults have been donating their time to the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation (MFCF). Instead of being on the beach or at the movies with their friends, these dedicated teenagers are out on the tennis courts working with the younger kids involved in the MFCF tennis programs.
“It is inspiring to see these kids, mostly aged 13 to 18, interacting with the younger children,” said MFCF Director of Tennis and Programs, Alison Mays.
The participants of the MFCF Rally Builder Program had grins from ear to ear while playing with these elite mentors. Rally Builder is a new program from MFCF Kids on Courts and focuses on guided match play.
The volunteers are out on the courts with the kids working with them on scoring, line calls, court etiquette and good sportsmanship. Eric Schulte Vero Beach High School senior and Varsity catcher for their baseball team, has stepped into coordinating the volunteer crew this year. Schulte has assembled a large group of energetic and enthusiastic high school students to assist in the various tennis programs with MFCF, he has been volunteering with MFCF since he was a freshman along with his brother Jay.
Now a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Jay Schulte still volunteers for the Foundation when he is home on break. Eric is wonderful on the court, leading the kids in warm-up and stretching routines. His humor and energy are contagious. The Volunteer crew is diverse, but they have one common denominator, they are all dedicated to creating a fun time on the courts for the children.
Other instrumental MFCF high school volunteers include, Vero Beach High School Varsity tennis players Erica Susi, Virginie Becht, Eric Zwemer, and Kyle Gordon, along with Saint Edwards tennis player Shay Shaikh; all have been positive role models on the courts and eager to share their expertise.
Many other varsity sports teams are represented in this exceptional group of teens. Jake Yurigan, Connor Bennett, Koa McDougal, Matt Mosel, Conner Smith, Stevie Myers, Hunter Cooley, and Dylan Burns are all Varsity baseball players who give up their very limited free time to be on the courts with the children. They demonstrate their good hand/eye coordination and agility.
Varsity Lacrosse players, Hannah Palau, Abby Shields, Lillie Shipley and Zach Funk contribute to the children with their winning attitudes and athleticism.
Cali Gumpel, state finalist for running the mile, shares her enthusiasm and work ethic.
Ian Debus, graduating senior in the top 10 percent of the class, is inspirational to these young kids in addition to being a lot of fun on the court, as is junior, Zack Minix.
Adam Yurigan, Vero Beach High School varsity soccer player demonstrates importance of good footwork and fitness. All of these outstanding young people sacrifice their coveted down time to be on court with the children of the community.
In addition, there is a younger set of volunteers that are still in middle school, who have been willing to dedicate their free time to the kids of the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation. Jewell Milliman, Rami Alkhatib, Sangrin Dach, and Ben Yurigan share their love of sport. The youngest of our volunteers is Gracie Levelston who plays with the Lozano/Osorio Tennis Academy. Grace loves to be on the court and she exudes enthusiasm. Other members of the Academy who graciously share their time with the MFCF are Romary Cardenas, Juan Perez, and Corinna Hennessey.
In addition to the wonderful volunteer crew, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation is grateful to Sue and Walt Rodman at The Boulevard Village and Tennis Club, and to Marco and Pali Osorio at The Vero Beach Tennis Club. Through generous use of their wonderful facilities, both clubs have been instrumental in allowing the Foundation to grow and improve to continue to reach as many children as possible each year.
For more information on the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation or any of its Kids on Courts tennis programs visit, www.mffkids.org or for information on Kids on Court Tennis programs or other after-school enrichments, contact Director of Tennis and Programs, Alison Mays at Alison@mffkids.org.