K-F's Spotlight on Seniors

 
 

Hi, my name is Paulina and I've been playing tennis for eleven years now. Over the past few years tennis has become my passion and opened the doors for new opportunities.
 
When I was sixteen I was given the opportunity to travel to Japan. For a month, I was the hitting partner for two Japanese girls who were planning on turning pro. Not only did I meet new people but I got the opportunity to experience a entirely new culture.  
 
While at home, better known as the Eastern section, I do individual competitions almost every weekend. Recently I started competing on a higher level and playing national tournaments in areas such as Albany and Arizona. My training takes a lot of time out of my schedule, I train 6 times a week, so juggling school and tennis is a very big challenge. 
 
My life goal would most definitely be to have a shot on a professional level, but I don't believe professional tennis would become a career for me, so I've considered pursuing a career in sports medicine.
 
Tennis has taught me many things especially how to be independent, how to work well with others, and most importantly how to make new friends in far away places.          

 
 

Hi, I’m Harris and this past summer I spent one month in the beautiful city of Seville, Spain. This experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I went on a summer program to study at the University of Seville. When I first arrived in Spain, it was exciting but confusing. I didn’t know anybody else from my group and on top of that, it was very hard to communicate, given my limited Spanish vocabulary and the culture seemed so unbelievably different from our own. By exploring the city and befriending the locals, I learned to adapt to and enjoy the culture. I realized many of life’s lessons were taught to me by taking a risk, putting my self out there, and trying new things. I made 100 new friends and I think that this type of an opportunity should be given to everyone. Once I overcame all of the hindrances that were set before me and became accustomed to the food, culture, and people, I was able to enjoy the best thing that could ever happened to me. I became pretty much fluent in a second language and wouldn’t give it up for anything.