Cincinnati Squash Academy Inducts First Cohort of 32 Student-Athletes into  Gold Status!
Proud parents and guardians snap pictures
of the newly inducted first class!
On Saturday, May 23rd, 32 student-athletes and their families gathered at the Emanuel Community Center in Over the Rhine to celebrate their official induction into the Cincinnati Squash Academy. Families, Board Members, school officials, and supporters came together in our Learning Center and shared stories and laughs over breakfast breads and fruit.

At 10:30am, the eager students began filing into the courtyard under crisp, blue, spring skies. Program staff reminisced about the obstacles our students hurdled over and shared individual and group achievements. 

Our cohort was then called up individually to receive their diplomas, CSA cinch bags, and 20 oz. water bottles. The parents, guardians, and supporters gave thundering applause and cheers for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders hailing from Hays Porter, St. Joseph, and CHCA's Otto Armleder. After all participants were recognized, the team gathered for a group photo that has been over 9 months in the making!
Rachael Parker, Academic Director, and Austin Schiff, Executive Director, shake Jeremiah Bolden's hand and give him his gifts.
Vir Seth, Squash Director, congratulates Cevie Smoot and hands him his Gold Status certificate.
Jeremiah Bolden shows some spunk with his mom and Ms. Parker.
Kaiyah and Uriyah Hardy smile wide, adorning their cinch packs.
Lidya Tesfaye poses with her certificate next to her younger sister.
The Summer and Beyond!
As Gold Status members, our cohort of 32 will participate in a rigorous 3-week summer camp program to prepare them for their first major competition, the Midwest Urban Nationals Tournament hosted at Kenyon College. They will also complete a book study, compete in a spelling bee, and contribute to a group art project during camp.

The group of 32 will aim to stay with the program for the next 8-10 years to hone their squash skills, expand their minds, and strengthen their character. It is our mission that each and every CSA scholar in Gold Status will make it "to and through" college. Our first class has the potential to make that a reality.
 
Keep an eye out for these budding young stars, their futures are bright.
Interested  in volunteering for CSA's summer camp that runs June 1st to June 20th, Monday-Saturday, from 1:00pm-5:00pm? Reach out to 
Thanks again for your support of the Cincinnati Squash Academy. Unforgettable moments like these would not be possible without you. 

Sincerely,
Austin G. Schiff