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Lori Brown | Democrat
FOLLOWING TUESDAY'S FINAL tennis clinic, coaches and players got together for a group photo. In the front row, from left to right are Cassi Smithem, Meghan Kocijanski, Kristen McEneaney, Jacky Weiss, Jessica Muntz and Nicholas Ferrara. Second row, from left to right: Taylor Bell, Sebastian Barbarite, Ashlynn Barbarite, Damon Ferrara, Allison Browne and Rebecca Goodman. Third row, from left to right: Ryan Sanchez, Olivia Racette, Bhumi Parekh, Morgan Huebner, Ashley McEneaney, Taylor Parks, Elizabeth Hannold, Harsh Parekh and Michael Mackawgy. Fourth row, from left to right: Jennifer Browne and Tatiana Sanchez. Back Row, from left to right: Instructor, Urvashi “Tutu” Gupta, Monticello Central School tennis players Gabby Medina, Hailey VanKeuren, Kaila Smithem and Village of Monticello Parks and Recreation Director Betsy Conaty.
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Monti Tennis Clinic Helps Players
By Lori Brown
MONTICELLO — June 15, 2007 — Scores of area children and adults attended their last spring tennis lesson on Tuesday afternoon at DeHoyos Park in Monticello.
For the last four weeks, the children, who are age 8 and up, worked on their beginning tennis skills, with the help from instructor Urvashi “Tutu” Gupta.
This annual tradition of May tennis lessons in Monticello has been going on for about nine years and is sponsored by a grant from United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern Section.
About 50 children and 25 adults attended these lessons for the last four weeks.
Unfortunately, due to unsettled weather and New York State Regents exams, at least 20 children were missing from the tennis carnival which followed Tuesday’s lessons.
During the tennis carnival, the children had many opportunities to win prizes such as T-shirts and bracelets. They played fun games, but also concentrated on the basics of tennis.
Some members of the Monticello High School tennis team came to assist the children with lessons.
Gupta is the coach of the Monticello High School varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis teams and is very knowledgeable about the sport. She noted that the whole concept of lessons is to get the kids to like a sport and encourage growth of the game of tennis.
“Tennis is a sport for a lifetime,” Gupta said. “This sport encourages family, fun and fitness which are the ingredients to keep you loving the sport.
“I believe that everyone should be in this sport, which is why as a varsity coach I never cut anyone from the team,” Gupta continued. “We needed something in this community so I suggested that the [local] Renaissance program beautify the park for people to enjoy. The beautiful park made the tennis lessons enjoyable for all.”
Betsy Conaty, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Village of Monticello, said that a tennis program like this is a great opportunity for both children and adults to learn more about the game of tennis.
The courts at DeHoyos Park are open for public use for a fee of $5 per person/per hour or a seasonal permit can be obtained at the village hall.
If anyone has any questions about tennis lessons at DeHoyos Park, please call Conaty at 794-2351.
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