Maholy Perraux started at StreetSquash as a 14-year-old in 2016. Her mother found out about the program and shared the information, which immediately piqued Maholy’s interest. 

“On the first day, I felt nervous,” Maholy said. “I was welcomed by staff and team members and I quickly became social.” 

She continued making special connections throughout her time at StreetSquash. 

“I was social my entire time at squash and made special connections with people in my team and other teams,” Maholy added. “Every staff member in the building knew my name.”

The things she remembers most fondly about StreetSquash are the Saturday practices, touring different college campuses, and traveling to play in various tournaments.

Maholy says she was never the best squash player, but enjoyed the competition nonetheless.

“I never won any big tournaments myself, but I was just happy to be present and enjoy every moment,” Maholy said. 

After graduating high school in 2020, Maholy went to SUNY New Paltz where she majored in English and minored in Social Justice Education Studies. 

Her English major allowed her to find her strength as an editor. But she was able to really make waves with her minor. 

She learned the psychological mindset of students in a classroom, how a student’s living situation can affect their academic performance, and made multiple presentations on ways to improve education for schools located in areas impacted by street violence.

At one point, she gathered other students studying Social Justice to build a Social Justice Education Studies (SJES) honors program. Funding limitations prevented the program from getting off the ground, but staff on campus noted her efforts to establish it and presented Maholy with a certificate prior to graduation.

“That was one of my proudest moments,” Maholy said.

Maholy graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2024 and is now working as an Instructional Paraprofessional with kindergarten students. She’s responsible for keeping students focused, checking in with them, working with them individually, and being the supportive helper that they need. She hopes to continue working in the education field and is exploring the idea of attending graduate school.

She credits StreetSquash for her persistence.

“StreetSquash has influenced my drive to look and think outside the box, and to never fear the thought of failing,” Maholy said. “Failure doesn’t end you, all it does is teach you something.”