Our local high school seniors (pictured above) have been spending many hours in the CitySquash office finalizing their college applications. A number of early decision and early action applications have been submitted, and many more will go out in the coming weeks and months. This group has impressed the staff with their hard work, humor, and support of one another amidst the stress. We are excited to see where everyone ends up, and we are proud of everyone’s commitment to this next step in their journey.

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.