By LISA WISTOFF

Fall brings new beginnings for some members here at Charbonneau Sports Center. Three years ago, we started a junior membership which gave the opportunity for high school students to join Charbonneau even if their family didn’ t play. Along with them, we have some family memberships that included their high school kids and you put it all together and we had a wonderful group of students who took lessons, hit with the ball machine and, most importantly, played with each other. We are so lucky to have a beautiful facility and a pro that can connect with adults and youth. We are now experiencing our first round of juniors going off to college, so we thought we would follow up

with them. We are so proud of the adults they are becoming. This is what they are saying.

Jack Jensen, Wilsonville High School, Class of 2025

My coaches throughout high school taught me to be resilient and play under a“ next point” mentality. Doing this helps clear my mind and not dwell on past mistakes. I chose to attend BYU for a few reasons. I’ m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and my faith is one of the most important things I value in my life. I’ m currently undeclared for a major, but I’ m most likely going to enter the business program here and explore their undergraduate programs. I brought my tennis racket with me, and I’ m actually playing with my roommate who’ s never played before. I’ m also playing a lot of pickleball.

The football games here are crazy fun. I’ ve regularly had to line up about four hours before the game started to get a decent seat with

a couple of my friends. Me and a giant group hiked the Battle Creek Falls trail last week and it was such a pretty hike. It got really steep, but it was so worth it. My favorite professor teaches my hardest class, but he’ s really fun. It’ s essentially history, politics and econ all rolled into one, so it’ s a lot of content and reading but luckily he’ s super entertaining to listen to.

Nolan Gardner, Sherwood High School, Class of 2025

My high school tennis experience taught me a lot of things. I learned leadership skills, teamwork and communication. Perseverance and not being so self-critical all the time were also important lessons I learned. I graduated as a valedictorian with an Advanced Honors Diploma. I also received an Onpoint Athletic Award for being a varsity athlete, with a 4.0 GPA.

I chose to go to San Diego State University as it has a very strong program for my major, Aerospace

Engineering with a focus on Astronautical Engineering, great weather, and a lively social scene! Of course I brought my racket to college, and I have made lots of friends that play tennis, and I’ ve had many opportunities to hit around and even play some casual matches.

My best memory in Charbonneau is the super nice community that has supported me through all the tennis and school I’ ve gone through. I do miss my dog, my family, friends, and my weekly tennis lessons with Donna.

JJ Bartlett, Wilsonville High School, Class of 2025

High school tennis taught me that even if my game didn’ t go well, always stay positive and support teammates because my positivity can help them play better, and we can still win the match overall as a team. At the end of my senior year, I received 1st doubles team all-district.

See SPORTS CENTER / 15