Teens teach tennis in area

Twice a week, the tennis balls fly at Eustis Park as neighborhood children join area teens to share a common love of the sport.

Six years ago, two local teens began a program called Teens Teach Tennis for neighborhood children in the Toole Hill community. The program has continued under the leadership of the founders' younger siblings, Annie Whitehurst and Collin Segura, along with two friends, Elizabeth Butler and Mathieu Erramuzpe.

From 9:30 until 11 a.m. from the first week of June until the middle of August, children between the ages of 5 and 17 visit Eustis Park where area teens donate their time to share the sport of tennis. The program is offered free of charge to all of the participants.

The first few years, the program averaged 12 participants, and this year the group has grown to average closer to 20, with up to 30 in attendance at times. In addition to tennis instruction and games, the program includes a reading challenge, and each session ends with snack time.

According to Whitehurst, the reading program has grown this year. Each week, Whitehurst and the other leaders bring a box full of donated books for the children to read. Once the child reads the book, they return it and tell the instructors about the book to receive a prize.

"Next year, we are going to try to start a tutoring program with these kids to help them get more A's," said Whithurst.

Whitehurst began volunteering with the program at the age of 10 and has developed friendships with many of the children.

"It has been interesting to see their personalities mature through the years, and their love of tennis has grown over the years," said Whitehurst.

"It was a developing community when we started the program, and a lot of families have moved here since. This really helps people get to know each other that are neighbors and helps build a sense of community," said Segura.

Anastasia and Danica Golson, Ten-year-old twin students at Aiken Elementary, joined Teens Teach Tennis six years ago at the age of 4 when the program first started. They attend every Tuesday and Thursday and have plans to continue playing in the future.

"I want to get a scholarship for tennis," said Anastasia.

"This summer, we have learned all about tennis from backhand to forehand to serves and are having a great summer," said Danica.

One 7-year-old had only played tennis one time before this summer and has fallen in love with the sport.

"I love tennis," said Kendahl Brockington.

Funding for the program comes from grants and donations. All tennis rackets, tennis balls, books and snacks are donated. The program is seeking funding for summer 2011. Anyone interested in joining the program is encouraged to attend one of the remaining Tuesday or Thursday meetings.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.