One of our favorite times of the year is when we come together to celebrate our participants’ accomplishments with our Mid-Year Awards. In December, our Harlem and Newark staffs hosted participants, their families, and their friends for an evening of awards, food, and fun.
Mid-Year Awards honor students across a variety of categories, and we appreciate the opportunity to show our participants how much we value their dedication to the program. We also love the chance to build deeper relationships with our participants’ family members, and to create opportunities for caregivers to meet other StreetSquash parents. The Harlem ceremony was hosted at the SL Green StreetSquash Center, and the Newark ceremony took place at the BS Johnson Center.
Congratulations to all of our award winners, and to all of our participants for an amazing few months of hard work on the court and in the classroom. Check out a full list of winners below, along with more information about each award. Also, enjoy more photos from the award ceremonies here.
Participation Award
The Participation Award goes to students who have attended 90% of all practices. These students’ consistent presence on the court demonstrates commitment and responsibility.
6th grade – Abdul, Amir, Andrew, Awa, Chyna, Da’Jae, David, Dalelyn, Darnell, Dominic, Joshua, Kaden, Machi
7th grade – Aaron, Angela, Brandon, Carl, Gabriela, Genola, Janae, Jonally, Jonathan, Joseph, Lamin, Osiris, Raihanna, Simeon
8th grade – Fatou, Hayley, Karon, Khissaiyia, Saibatou, Sienna
9th grade – Ahmed, Aichatou, Alina, Alvarah, David, Evan, Justin, Kiara, Krystal, Madison
10th grade – Amasa, Casey, Enrique, Genesis, Jada, Jaidyn, Janiece, Jaysun, Jonathan, Joshua, Marcus, Marley, Symone, Yvoniel
11th grade – Alveann, Andreus, Conner, Elijah, Jahmir, Korey, Lillian, Michele, Raya
12th grade – Adovy, Jadelyn, Johnasia, Kaiya, La’fayia, Maholy, Naheem, Nicholos, Sarabi
College Prep Award
The College Prep Award recognizes high schoolers who have gone above and beyond in their college applications. This includes reaching out to admission officers, completing college interviews, meeting application deadlines, and doing everything possible to give themselves the widest range of post-secondary opportunities. These students have shown a strong commitment to their own success and options after graduation.
David, Jonathan, Kaiya, La’fayia, Lillian, Zhae
Squash Commitment Award
The Squash Commitment Award goes to students who have shown a strong commitment to improving and excelling in squash. Participants earn this award by working hard on the court during practice sessions and matches. This includes demonstrating sportsmanship and respect toward teammates, coaches, and volunteers.
6th grade – David, Joshua
7th grade – Jonathan, Naomi
8th grade – Isaiah, Khissaiyia
9th grade – Aichatou, Gael
10th grade – Amasa, Khadim
11th grade – Elijah, Jahmir
12th grade – Nicholos, Sarabi
Academic Commitment Award
The Academic Commitment Award goes to students who have shown the strongest commitment to their studies. Participants earn this award by working hard in study sessions, being open to aid offered by volunteers and staff, and by doing everything necessary in the pursuit of academic excellence.
6th grade – Ashmah, Malak
7th grade – Brandon, Naomi
8th grade – Gus, Saibatou
9th grade – Jada, Marley
10th grade – Enrique, Seth
11th grade – Dontay, Lilly
12th grade – Crystal, La’fayia
Back to the T Award
The Back to the T Award goes to students who have shown an extraordinary amount of resilience and persistence. These students have worked hard in areas where they have faced hurdles, and they have demonstrated self-advocacy, continued effort in the face of obstacles, and progress toward overcoming past and present challenges.
6th grade – Da’Jae
7th grade – Simeon, Maurice
8th grade – Hwarin, Makayla, Saibatou
9th grade – Aichatou, Kiara
10th grade – Amasa, Ixayana, Jaidyn, Kiara, Marcus
11th grade – Kaci, Korey
12th grade – Adovy, Jadelyn, Johnasia, Narissa
Spirit Award
The Spirit Award goes to students who display great enthusiasm for StreetSquash on a consistent basis, on and off the court. Participants earn this award by working hard in squash and academic sessions, supporting their teammates, and representing the program well in all areas and settings.
6th grade – Awa, Shiyenne
7th grade – Aaron, Joseph
8th grade – Antwan, Sienna
9th grade – Alvarah, Dremell
10th grade – Jaysun, Marcus
11th grade – Andreus, Promise
12th grade – Johnasia, Maholy
Making the Team
Finally, at our Mid-Year Awards, we also take time to celebrate the latest group of participants who made the StreetSquash Team!
To make the team, participants complete a multi-week tryout period. Rather than weighing academic or athletic abilities into our selection process, we instead seek out applicants who exhibit positive attitudes, commitment, and hard work.
Here are the students who recently made the StreetSquash team:
6th grade – Abdul, Amir, Andrew, Aubrey, Awa, Carmelina , Chyna, Darnell , David, Daylen, Dominic, Emmanuel, Journieh, Lillie, Machi, Malak, Zayvion
7th grade – Angela, Ashley, Autumn, Fatoumata, Genola, Jackson, Janae, Lamin, Marielis, Raihanna, Troy, Vikram
8th grade – Hayley, Papa
9th grade – Keannie, Kiara, Krystal, Louis, Rylie
10th grade – Marley
Congratulations to all of our award winners, and also to all of our students who work hard every day. Interested in helping one of our students achieve new milestones over the next year? Email volunteer@streetsquash.org to learn more about volunteering at StreetSquash and making a positive impact in our participants’ lives.