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Feb
28

2024 High School Nationals

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!

Feb
12

Celebrating 15 Years of Asher-Ezra Scholars!

This year, we celebrate the 15th 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:

 

HIGH SCHOOLS

COLLEGES

Avon Old Farms

Barnard College

Blair Academy

Bates College

Brooks School

Bowdoin College

Canterbury School

Bucknell College

Episcopal High School

City College

Ethel Walker School

Colby College

Fordham Prep

Connecticut College

Indian Mountain School

Franklin and Marshall College

Kent School

Hobart & William Smith Colleges

Mercersburg

Lehigh University

Rectory School

Niagara University

St. George’s School

Northern Illinois State        

Tabor Academy

St. Lawrence University

Taft School

Vassar College

Trinity-Pawling

 

Westover School

 

Williston Northampton

Feb
07

CitySquashers Shine at SEA Team Nationals 2024

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! 

High School Girls Division A Champions:

Ashanti Amastal 

Lindyn Morocho 

Ariana Michaca

Stephany Silva 

Ashley Amaro

Middle School Boys Division A Champions: 

Sergio Reyes

Luis Escalona 

Isai Borgua-Garcia

Leonardo Ambrosio

Christopher Zapata 

Middle School Girls Division A Runners-Up:

Brea Genis

Michelle Leyva

Melanie Santos

Diana Guadarrama

Luxe Vasquez 

Feb
17

CitySquash Adds Two More Team Titles

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

 

Jun
15

CitySquash Brings Home Four More Titles!


 
For the first time in three years, 55 CitySquash team members traveled to Philadelphia at the Arlen Specter Center to compete in the SEA Individual Championships!
 
Our team members were able to bring home four more titles:
 
– Rokaya (GU13)
– Rodrigo (BU13)
– Ahmed (BU15)
– Giselle (GU19)

 
 
Along with the titles, CitySquash also had three 2nd place, five 3rd place, three 4th place, and four 5th place finishes!
 
We are continually astounded with our team members’ competitive spirit and determination. 
Mar
10

February Break CitySquash Trips

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! 

 

Mar
09

The CSA Names Two CitySquashers 2021-2022 Scholar Athletes

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.

Dec
21

Black & Orange Day 2021

On Sunday, October 24th we held our 11th 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

 

Oct
27

The CitySquash Team Returns for a New School Year!

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.

 

A Year of New Beginnings
 
Programming looks a little different this year but team members are excited to be back to a (new) normal after-school routine of academics and squash. In the Bronx, this new routine includes academics at partner school P.S. 205 or Belmont Library, and squash at either Westchester Squash or New York Sports Club White Plains. In Brooklyn, team members attend academics at partner schools PAVE Academy and Brooklyn Leaders High School, and play squash at the Eastern Athletic Club and Heights Casino. On weekends, team members practice, compete in tournaments and matches, complete community service projects and go on other trips. After being confined to virtual programming for the whole 2020-2021 school year, this in-person routine is a relief, despite the increased travel for squash! Bronx 9th grader Ariana says, “I’m glad that I’m back with my team and practicing more to get stronger and better!”
 
Our fall programming would not be possible without the squash clubs, partner schools, and public libraries welcoming us to their spaces. A huge thanks to everyone involved in setting up these new partnerships and helping our team members get back on court. Onwards and upwards for the CitySquash team!
 
 
A Week of Trips to Kick-Off the School Year
 
In place of our annual overnight team retreat to Lake Placid this year, the week before school was marked with different day trips around the city. All team members got to choose from an array of trips that were mixed by age to encourage new relationships and team bonding at the outset of the school year. The Bronx and Brooklyn sites also teamed up for a trip to the Brooklyn Zoo to provide some of the same cross-site interactions that the team retreat usually provides. Bronx team member Haydee said “I got to know new people so much better” through the trips she went on. In total, there were 13 different trips during that week, including a Yankee game (see above photo of Coach Bryan Patterson and John Solano), Bronx Zoo Tree Top Adventure, Turtle Cove Golf Center, and Chinatown to explore the Chinese culture through food. Malika, another Bronx team member in the 9th grade, said of the Chinatown trip that “the boba was amazing, and so was the ice cream.” The only complaint of the week? The Yankees’ loss to the Blue Jays!
 

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 athe Queen’s County Fair.

 

 

Moving Up & Moving In!

With the start of the school year came new starts for 15 CitySquash team members beginning college and entering new independent schools. Eight matriculated to college, six students entered new boarding schoolfor high school and one middle schooler went away to a junior boarding school for the 7th grade. In addition to these team members, a high school team member who had started virtually athe Masters School last year finally got to move into campus and begin her boarding life. We wish these students and the entire CitySquash team the best of luck athey return to in-person learning. Here is to a great 2021-2022 school year!

 

Pablo Paxtor is greeted by Guillermo Moronta, Associate Director of Admissions & Director of Squash, on his first day at Tabor Academy.

Sep
13

Summer Highlights

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 6th and ran through August 6th. 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 HerrlichCamp 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.