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:

Last weekend, CitySquash traveled with 60 students to Western Massachusetts at Deerfield Academy and Amherst College to play in the Squash and Education Alliance’s National Individual Championships. It is always amazing to see so many team members competing and supporting each other through one of SEA’s biggest events of the year.

Two team members took home titles to bring the total count to 120 SEA National titles.

Jaylin Vrolyk – GU11

James Vazquez – BU15

CitySquash also saw many semi-finalists and finalists!

Yanet Ramos – GU11 2nd place

Leonardo Ambrosio – BU13 4th place

Brea Genis – GU13 3rd place

Rodrigo Hipolito – BU15 Finalist

Lindyn Morocho – GU15 Finalist

Ashley Amaro – GU15 4th place

Coby Galarza – BU17 4th place

Ariana Michaca – GU17 Finalist

Randy Guzman – BU19 Finalist

Angelina Amastal – GU19 Finalist

Ashanti Amastal – GU19 3rd place

Congratulations to all our team members and here’s to celebrating all the hard work they put in on and off the court this year.

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! 

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

Six CitySquash team members earned the US Squash Scholar Athlete Award for the 2019-2020 academic year (see list below). The Scholar Athlete Award recognizes high school students who have excelled in the classroom by maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher throughout the year, and on court by playing in at least three US Squash accredited tournaments. Caleb and Giselle were both recognized as Scholar Athletes for the second year in a row, while Alan, Elizabeth, Madalein and Sachary earned this recognition for the first time. Congratulations to our six Scholar Athletes for their hard work throughout the school year!

Photo Above: Top Row (L-R): Elizabeth Barroso, Sachary Rodriguez, Caleb Boateng, Giselle Ciriaco; Bottom Row (L-R): Madalein Amoako, Alan Lopez

Extracurricular clubs have become a staple of CitySquash’s normal programming, and clubs offered have included Art Club, Music Club, Game Club and more. When CitySquash transitioned to virtual programming as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, two of our dedicated mentors, Stephanie & Ali Butera, came up with a plan to continue offering clubs to CitySquash team members virtually! With the help of Ali and Stephanie, mentors to Malika (7^th grade) and Stephany (6^th grade) respectively, we have been able to add Activity Club to our weekly schedule, and continue to provide team members with a creative outlet during this difficult time. Stephanie & Ali help plan easy, arts-based DIY projects on a weekly basis that require very few materials so all team members can participate at home. Projects have included making fortune-tellers and origami figures. A portion of Activity Club is also dedicated to thanking those working on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis. Students have written thank you letters to workers at City Meals on Wheels who are continuing to deliver food to the elderly, and to doctors and nurses at Jacobi Medical Center. See below for photos from Activity Club and a huge thanks to Stephanie & Ali Butera for making Activity Club possible!

Photo Above: Rodrigo tries on his new mask! 

Nicole shows off her fortune-tellers!

3^rd grader, Brianna, focuses while writing a thank you note to a doctor at Jacobi Medical Center!

From red rocks to coastal lighthouses, wilderness camping to college visits, our annual Spring Tours were a smashing success. For the eighth year in a row, our team members and hardworking staff explored regions beyond the boroughs on 6 unique enrichment trips, visiting a combined 10 different states. For many team members, it was the first time out of the state or on an airplane. Highlighted by museum and cultural site visits, new food and adventures, and yes, even a little squash, the 2019 edition created memories and camaraderie that will last a lifetime.

 

 

Maria and Genesis at the college send-off dinner

 

 

 

With the school year underway and full programming ramping up in the Bronx and Brooklyn, we’d like to “shout-out” our incoming college and high school students as they step onto their new campuses.