TEAM HAILEY - A TENNIS LIFE
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https://vimeo.com/151124981 (PASSWORD: Hailey)
My name is Shari, I am a traveling tennis mom of my 15 year old daughter – Hailey Baptiste. Her dad, Quasim Baptiste, and I had no idea what road we were headed down once Hailey started playing tennis; after 11 years, this is just the beginning. Hailey started playing tennis at 4, and fell in love with the game started in an after-school program at the William Fitzgerald Tennis Center, in Washington, DC – home of the Citi Open pro tournament. She excelled quickly in her training; so much, her dad noticed she would need more formal training but where would she go we wondered? There was an article in the Washington Post about the Junior Tennis Champions Center, a facility for elite junior players & world-renowned coaches. This would be perfect for Hailey he thought but I was apprehensive. I saw that this prestigious academy was the Harvard of programs but how could we, a modest-income family, afford to have her there. Quasim was insistent that we'd find a way and he was right. After getting an assessment from coaches at JTCC, Hailey started in their lower level program for beginners at age 7. She then advanced so much, within a year and a half she was invited to the JTCC full-time program in the middle of the school year. The adjustment from regular school to the college-like atmosphere at JTCC was hard for Hailey, she struggled to keep up in the classroom & with fitting in with the other student-athletes. Most of the kids that play tennis on this level are wealthy, this is not our family. We've managed to handle the travel & tournament schedule required for Hailey, until now. Hailey is progressing on all levels & with this progression there will be a significant increase in travel, nationally & internationally. Hailey has recognized she does her best when we all travel as a team (her & her parents). We thought that she would be ok traveling with the coaches but she's accustomed to us all being together so thats what's comfortable for her. Hailey's dream is to turn pro at 16, and we know that she can do it. Once you have seen her play & witness the dedication & commitment she exudes, there's no way I would't do all that I can to help her reach her goal. Hailey is an amazing tennis player but more importantly, shes an amazing person. She shows poise & integrity on & off of the court and has the most fun-loving personality. She's currently ranked top 3 in the US & is on her way in the interantional arena where she is now top 50! It's so exciting to watch her on this journey, please help us in fulfilling her destiny. Go TEAM HAILEY!
PLEASE REVIEW UPDATES!!
My name is Shari, I am a traveling tennis mom of my 15 year old daughter – Hailey Baptiste. Her dad, Quasim Baptiste, and I had no idea what road we were headed down once Hailey started playing tennis; after 11 years, this is just the beginning. Hailey started playing tennis at 4, and fell in love with the game started in an after-school program at the William Fitzgerald Tennis Center, in Washington, DC – home of the Citi Open pro tournament. She excelled quickly in her training; so much, her dad noticed she would need more formal training but where would she go we wondered? There was an article in the Washington Post about the Junior Tennis Champions Center, a facility for elite junior players & world-renowned coaches. This would be perfect for Hailey he thought but I was apprehensive. I saw that this prestigious academy was the Harvard of programs but how could we, a modest-income family, afford to have her there. Quasim was insistent that we'd find a way and he was right. After getting an assessment from coaches at JTCC, Hailey started in their lower level program for beginners at age 7. She then advanced so much, within a year and a half she was invited to the JTCC full-time program in the middle of the school year. The adjustment from regular school to the college-like atmosphere at JTCC was hard for Hailey, she struggled to keep up in the classroom & with fitting in with the other student-athletes. Most of the kids that play tennis on this level are wealthy, this is not our family. We've managed to handle the travel & tournament schedule required for Hailey, until now. Hailey is progressing on all levels & with this progression there will be a significant increase in travel, nationally & internationally. Hailey has recognized she does her best when we all travel as a team (her & her parents). We thought that she would be ok traveling with the coaches but she's accustomed to us all being together so thats what's comfortable for her. Hailey's dream is to turn pro at 16, and we know that she can do it. Once you have seen her play & witness the dedication & commitment she exudes, there's no way I would't do all that I can to help her reach her goal. Hailey is an amazing tennis player but more importantly, shes an amazing person. She shows poise & integrity on & off of the court and has the most fun-loving personality. She's currently ranked top 3 in the US & is on her way in the interantional arena where she is now top 50! It's so exciting to watch her on this journey, please help us in fulfilling her destiny. Go TEAM HAILEY!
PLEASE REVIEW UPDATES!!
Organizer
Shari Dishman
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC