The 2024 High School Team Nationals took place in Philadelphia from February 23rd-25th and CitySquash had two teams competing in the Boys’ V and VII Divisions. Both teams competed exceptional well, and both finished the weekend as runners-up in the respective divisions. The team representing the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics (BCSM) made it to the final of Division VII where they played against Avon High School. The team showed incredible effort and skill throughout the match, narrowly falling short on a National Title by a score of 3-4. In Division V, CitySquash’s team representing Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies (MACS), played the #1 seed, McDonogh, in the final. The team also put up a valiant effort and like there BCSM counterparts, just missed out on the win by a final score of 3-4. Congratulations to all 14 of our high schoolers for representing CitySquash and their Bronx high schools so well!

This year, we celebrate the 15^th anniversary of The Asher-Ezra Scholarship Fund, founded in 2008 by Elizabeth da Trindade-Asher (Lizzie) and Daniel Ezra.

Lizzie grew up in Lima, Peru, won a scholarship to Duke University, and graduated from Harvard Law School while Daniel grew up in Mumbai, India and London, England, and attended Harvard University where he became one of the most decorated squash players in the school’s history. Their extraordinary personal journeys instilled in them a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives, and so on the occasion of their wedding, they created the CitySquash Asher-Ezra Scholarship Fund and asked their friends and family to support this initiative in lieu of gifts. For the last decade and a half, the Asher-Ezra Scholarship has supported a growing group of CitySquashers who excel academically and athletically and make the decision to enroll in private high schools. To date, there have been 25 Scholars, 16 of whom have captained their high school or college squash team.

Billy Fleurima (Taft ’18, Connecticut College ’22) says, “It means the world to me to be an Asher-Ezra Scholar. Ever sine I first met Lizzie and Daniel, they’ve shown me nothing but support. They always encouraged me to go beyond my limits, whether that was applying to highly ambitious schools, trying new foods even though I am a very picky eater, or going after my professional dreams. They have never once put me down and always provided me guidance to get where I want to be, even in moments when others doubted me. On top of all that, Lizzie and Daniel truly are just wonderful individuals. That is what I admire about them the most. Their genuine selflessness and care for others.”  

During high school, Asher-Ezra Scholars receive financial assistance, academic counseling, and mentoring. Lizzie and Daniel have continuously set the bar for excellence in their own lives and inspire the students to do so as well. Asher-Ezra Scholars are expected to be exemplary student-athletes who strive to be their best not only in the classroom and on the court, but also in their respective school communities at large. The group meets formally twice a year for dinners, and a strong community has been formed.

Victoria Haghighi (Brooks School ’19, Bates College ’23) says, “Asher-Ezra has done so much for my academic career. Although I graduated from high school in 2019, Lizzie and Daniel still reach out and offer to help in whatever ways they can. Most recently, they have helped me submit my graduate school applications. I am always invited to dinners with the current scholars. They are truly amazing people, and I am so lucky to have been a part of their program. They continue to inspire me and I am grateful for their guidance since joining their program.” 

The long-time dedication of Lizzie and Daniel is an incredible example of a way in which supporters can make a meaningful and long term impact within the CitySquash community. Financial stress is one of the leading reasons students drop out of high school and college, and research continues to show that strong adult support for students leads to positive academic outcomes. CitySquash is grateful for the generosity, thoughtfulness, and dedication of Lizzie and Daniel and the Asher-Ezra Scholarship Fund. The cohort of scholars has had incredible success academically, athletically, and professionally, no doubt in part because of this program. We look forward to many generations of Asher-Ezra scholars to come.  

Asher-Ezra Scholars have attended the following schools:

The 2024 SEA Team Nationals took place at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center from January 26th-28th. CitySquash once again had the largest contingent with 50 players making the trip down to Philadelphia to compete. In the end, CitySquash had finalists in three of the four Championship Draws (High School Girls, Middle School Boys, Middle School Girls). The CitySquash High School Girls claimed their third-straight SEA National Title by defeating Access Youth Academy 4-1 in the finals. The Middle School Boys pulled off consecutive upsets of the #2 seed, SquashSmarts, in the semi-final and #1 seed, SquashBusters Providence, in the final en route to claiming CitySquash’s fifth consecutive SEA National Title in the division! The Middle School Girls team missed out on the CitySquash finals sweep, losing narrowly in the championship match to SquashDrive by a score of 3-2. Thanks to the extraordinary performances of our team members, CitySquash’s tally of SEA National Titles now stands at a record 122! 

On February 10th, 2023, CitySquash traveled to Philadelphia once again to compete in SEA’s National Team Championships. Under one banner, 70 team members from the Bronx and Brooklyn competed against other member programs of the Squash and Education Alliance. 

Out of the four A divisions, CitySquash took home titles in the High School Girls and the Middle School Boys divisions and third place finishes in High School Boys and Middle School Girls divisions. 

It was an amazing weekend which saw incredible wins and valiant efforts from every team member attending. Lifelong memories were forged and team camaraderie was in full force. 

High School Girls A Champions!

Middle School Boys Champions

It is incredibly important to CitySquash that time off is not time wasted. That is why during the school’s Mid-Winter break, our team members committed themselves to many different trips and experiences. 

7th graders witness the boarding school experience at from Millbrook’s zoo to Berkshire’s Squash courts 

6th graders explore the New York Historical Society 

9th graders ring the famous Gong at Pugsley’s Pizzeria in the Bronx 

8th graders dodge balls at SkyZone

High Schoolers make their own bubble tea and taste test against the real deal at Gong Cha 

Stay tuned for a return to Spring Tours in April! 

This December, Billy and Luigi played their last match together for Connecticut College before graduating early. Unfortunately, this meant that they would not be able to compete in the College Squash Association’s National Championships. However, that did not stop the CSA from recognizing the pair’s academic success and naming them as 2021-2022 Scholar Athletes! Billy and Luigi are both looking forward to starting their careers this year at UBS and Good Morning America respectively. Hats off to all of their hard work and success.

On Sunday, October 24^th we held our 11^th Annual Black & Orange Day at the M.S. 45 Field in a new outdoor format with the help of M.S. 45, our oldest partner school in the Bronx.

Over 100 team members, family members, and mentors competed in outdoor squash, word scrambles, kickball, and soccer. Going into the final Basketball competition worth three points, the Black Team led the Orange Team 18-16.  

This year, the shirts featured the initials “JS” to honor our team member James Solano who tragically passed in 2020. After hearing his friends speak about the impact he had on their lives and countless others, we dedicated the Basketball game to his memory. At the end of the day, it was the Orange team with the game-winning shot to put a cap on our 11th Annual Black & Orange Day. Below are photos of the event and competitions.

After a virtual year in 2020, we want thank all who came and helped make it a memorable day for the CitySquash team!

The changeover of innings during kickball 

The Orange team cheers on their squad during soccer

CitySquash’s version of outdoor squash!

The Orange Team celebrates the game winning layup! 

The Black Team

The Orange Team

A 9th grade practice group is all smiles under their masks after coming in from an afternoon of squash and academics at NYSC White Plains.

Middle schoolers clean up a local park as part of a service day with Bronx River Alliance.

A group of team members practice on Maspeth Welding’s outdoor squash court in Queens.

A day of fun and fall activities abound at the Queen’s County Fair.

 

 

Stephany & Camille enjoyed outdoor games as part of their daily camp routine. Camille said, “I like when we play sports and am always excited for our field days.” Stephany loved “being able to see [her] friends and spend time together.”

CitySquash returned to in-person programming this summer for the first time since March 2020! Summer camp in the Bronx and Brooklyn kicked off on July 6^th and ran through August 6^th. Team members went daily for academic enrichment and squash instruction, and traveled on Fridays and weekends for field trips and squash tournaments. The return to in-person was welcomed by all after over a year of virtual programming. High school team member Randy said, “it feels great seeing all of my teammates once again and being able to be excited to get on court with each other.” Another high schooler, Alexis, added, “after not playing for such a long time, it’s great to be back at it, especially the games.”

Above: CitySquash alum and new Director of Elementary School Academics, Bianca, helps Luxe with a math problem.

Below left: High schoolers pose for a photo mid-practice at NYSC White Plains.

Below right: A group in Brooklyn works on their swings at The Heights Casino.

Travel has always been a big part of the CitySquash experience and it’s been great reincorporating field trip, tournament and summer camp travel this summer. Field trips included touring the Vassar College campus (see above photo), walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and geo-cashing in Central Park. We are grateful to the external camp partners who have enabled over 65 team members to travel for sleepaway experiences at camps including Camp Herrlich, Camp Tecumsah and Squash + Beyond Camps.

Kimberly & Nioby take a break between matches at the MSquash Summer Bronze. Sixteen players were able to compete in U.S. Squash tournaments this summer.

This summer would not have been possible without our partners who opened their doors to us – The Heights Casino, Jonas Bronck Academy, NYSC White Plains & StreetSquash. From all of us, a huge thanks for your generosity!

Two CitySquashers recognized with Squash + Education Alliance Awards

Alan Lopez was a recipient of the Squash + Education Alliance Tyler Griffin Student of the Year Award. Given to two graduating seniors, the award recognizes students who best embody the overarching values of SEA – sportsmanship, effort on court and in the classroom, respect and concern for others, integrity, character, and leadership. Alan is off to Colby in the fall, where he will compete on the Varsity Squash team.

Eric Garcia won Squash + Education Alliance’s Future Star Award, given annually to one 8th grade student in the SEA network who shows a strong and consistent commitment to their program and an extraordinary level of effort, respect, concern for others, integrity, character, and leadership. Eric will enter 9th grade at Leaders High School in Brooklyn in the fall.