Over the weekend of October 1, CitySquash held its 1st Annual Black & Orange Day. The day was a huge success, bringing together over 100 members of the CitySquash family – students, parents, supporters, volunteers, staff and Board members – to participate in a fun-filled day of friendly competitions. The 100 participants were split into fourteen teams – seven black and seven orange – and competed in events such as squash, basketball, relay races and moccer (soccer with an inflatable exercise ball), to name a few.
 
The goal of the day was simple, bring together as many members of the CitySquash family as possible and have fun. After seeing first-time volunteers mingling with Board members and students playing squash against mentors, it was apparent this goal had been reached. CitySquash would like to thank all those who participated in the 1st Annual Black & Orange Day and helped make the event such a success. We look forward to a bigger and better Black & Orange Day next year.

Over the weekend of October 8th, four CitySquash team members made the trip from the Bronx to Hanover, NH for the 2011 Fall Foliage Squash Tournament at Dartmouth College. Robert Williams, Billy Fleurima, Andrew Cadienhead and Katiria Sanchez represented themselves and the organization well on and off the court, showing a fierce competitive spirit and ideal sportsmanship.
 
The highlight of the tournament came from Andrew Cadienhead as he won the boys under 17 age division. Having gone into the tournament as an unknown threat, the unseeded Cadienhead fought off two top-20 nationally ranked players to win the title. Andrew’s skill was matched only by his humility and sportsmanship. All of our competitors can be proud of their performances. We are looking forward to more success as the season continues.

On Monday, October 10th, local CitySquash high schoolers enjoyed a cultural outing to the High Line Park in Manhattan. The students met earlier in the day to talk about the history of the park–which is built on an old elevated railway along the west side of the island–as well as the importance of public space in an urban environment. After a self-guided walking tour that checked out the various sights and public art installations on the park, the students broke off to write on the key question of the day: As a citizen of New York City, why is public space important to you? As one CitySquasher put it, “Without public spaces, people would be isolated and prohibited from places where they can learn and explore.”

Peter Feldman, CitySquash’s Director of High School Academics and College Prep, reports on his visits with a few of CitySquash’s college students:
 
The three CitySquasher’s at St. Lawrence are settling into their Freshman year. Seetreeon Torres ’15 and Chris Fernandez ’15 completed the rigorous HEOP Summer Program that has prepared them well for their first semester. Seetreeon in particular has been working hard on his writing and reports that he loves his Gender and Society class. Alija Hogans ’15 is his usual energetic self and was proud of a paper he reworked into his best grade of the semester so far. Chris is juggling preparing for the squash season with baseball workouts as well-he made the team and hopes to see some time as a freshman. All three will be part of a strong Men’s Squash Team that has aspirations to finish in the Top 10 in the country.
 
Over at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Jose Alvarez ’13 and Edgardo Gonzales ’13 continue to enjoy college life in Geneva, NY. Jose, a History major, is excited to be taking a class on Post-1945 Europe, while Edgardo, a Psychology major, is focused on gearing up for the squash season. He recounted a recent training run with the team that ended in a swim in Lake Seneca. Both boys are members of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity as well as on the board for the Latin American Students Association.
 
Finally, Jesse Pacheco ’14 continues to flourish at Cornell University. She is excited to be taking both Marketing and Visual Arts classes, eyeing a possible career in advertising. She was also busy with preseason training and is excited about a Big Read team that will be adding some considerable Freshman talent to an already strong squad.