Students at Montbello’s McGlone Elementary learned about diversity in tennis and how individuals and groups have broken down barriers through the sport as part of the USTA Colorado Breaking the Barriers 2.0 ¡Vive el Tenis! project. The school visit was made possible in part to Subaru of America’s continued support of USTA Colorado. Third-fifth graders viewed the traveling portrait series exhibit and heard from two of the portrait series subjects, George Tavarez and Tony Delacruz, who shared the role tennis has played in their lives. Students also engaged in learn and play tennis activities on the playground with USTA School Tennis Coordinator Kristy Jenkins and Clinician Hugo Jimenez.
The school’s PE teacher, Joe Szwaja (who also coaches the Montbello High Schol tennis team) and his teaching partner Brienna Allen plan to offer tennis as part of the students’ physical education classes this spring. Mr. Szwaja is also exploring the idea of offering an after school tennis program, as well as a summer program. Thanks again to Subaru’s support, McGlone will be outfitted with appropriate sized tennis equipment.