Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy Holds Grand Opening
Two New Courts at Powell Elementary
On Friday, May 4th, students at Powell Elementary got the first chance to play on the two brand new tennis courts on the school’s playground, as the school celebrated the grand opening of LAYC’s Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy and got an early start on Cinco de Mayo.
Mary Joe Fernandez, a former tennis professional who at one point was ranked # 5 in the world and now is a tennis commentator for ESPN, provided instruction to the young tennis players as they tested their backhands and forehands.
Hundreds of students and their families turned out for the celebration. The young people had a blast, taking turns on the courts, cheering during their friends’ rallies, and practicing their strokes by hitting balls against the school outside wall.
Powell Principal Lucia Vega cut the ribbon on the courts and picked up a racket as well. Principal Vega, who has worked closely with LAYC’s Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy to get the courts built, described the new tennis opportunities as “a turning point” for her students.
Through the Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy, students at both Powell and MacFarland Middle School have received tennis instruction during the school day as part of their physical education program. This summer, tennis will be offered through LAYC’s Summer Enrichment Camps in both Ward I and Ward IV.
Mike Leon, LAYC’s Ward 4 Team Leader, put it this way, “The young people are so excited because they know these courts were built for them. Our tennis efforts have come a long way in a very short period of time. And that’s happened because we’ve received great support from the tennis community, we’ve gotten help from Verizon, OLA and others, and we’ve had a wonderful partner at Powell.”
Greg Gonzales, Pancho’s nephew and honorary chairman of The Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy, and Pancho’s second eldest son Michael were on hand for the celebration. Also participating in the event were representatives from the United States Tennis Association, Washington Tennis Association, Verizon and the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, all of which have supported LAYC’s tennis efforts.
