University of Houston Athletics
Houston Tennis Team Volunteers at Special Olympics
5/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
May 11, 2011
HOUSTON - The University of Houston tennis team continued to stay active in the community as the Cougars recently volunteered at the Greater Houston Special Olympics tennis event at Homer Field Tennis Center.
The Cougars served as scorekeepers for the tennis matches and escorts for the athletes to and from the court. The team also presented the awards and medals to the athletes following the competition.
The athletes competing in the Special Olympics weren't the only ones who benefitted from having the Houston tennis players participate, as several Cougars came away with a new perspective on life.
"I think taking part in the Special Olympics was a great experience for all of us," said sophomore Maja Kazimieruk. "I feel that sometimes we take our lives for granted. I'm young, healthy, study and play tennis for a great University, and the fact that my life is almost perfect stops me from noticing that there are people around me who aren't as fortunate.
"Even though their lives are much more difficult than ours, they create such a positive atmosphere, put effort in everything they do and make the most of it," continued Kazimieruk. "We should learn from them on how to enjoy even the smallest things and that having a positive attitude makes everything easier and more pleasant for people around us."
The three freshmen on the Houston tennis team echoed Kazimieruk's statements.
"It made me realize that I should be grateful that I can play tennis at this level, because they were so happy and grateful that they could even be there, even if some of them found it extremely hard to play," explained Jo Garvey.
"It was rewarding to know we made a difference and how interested and excited the athletes were when they had the chance to speak to us," said Celia Fraser. "The fact that tennis provided so many opportunities to people from different backgrounds was nice to see."
"I really enjoyed interacting with all the competitors who all genuinely seemed so happy for us to be there," said Dionne Sanders. "It made me really appreciate how lucky we all are with the great opportunities we have."
