Thousands of junior squash players of all levels across the country compete and enjoy squash as a regular part of their lives. Each year, hundreds graduate from junior squash while retaining the values practiced in the sport, the close and enduring friendships they have formed, and with an enduring love for squash as a lifelong sport.
Beginning in 2020, US Squash has celebrated the graduating senior class by publishing personal reflections from players on their junior squash careers, and what they look forward to in their next chapter in life and squash.
Below is the first installment for 2024 of this ongoing series. If you are a Class of 2024 high school senior and have not already submitted your own picture and reflection, please follow these instructions to do so.
Please consider honoring members of the Class of 2024 while supporting US Squash’s junior development programs by making a gift to the 2024 Senior Class Gift Initiative. Learn more here.
Junior squash has been one of the best experiences of my life! It has given me some of my closest friends, while teaching me to navigate a rollercoaster of emotions.
I will forever be grateful for the lessons of grit, perseverance and sportsmanship it is instilled in me! I especially want to say thank you to my coaches, sister, and parents for all they’ve done to help me become the player i am today!
I look forward to continuing my squash and academic journey at Middlebury College!
I am grateful to US squash for giving me the opportunity to play this sport these past years. Throughout my squash career it’s not only been a privilege to play such talented people, but what I most value is having made close friends through competition. I will hold the lessons I’ve learned and the memories I’ve made during my junior squash career close to my heart as I go forward to play in college.
I’ve learned many lessons through playing junior squash such as the importance of putting in effort, facing one’s fears and the value of persistence. As an individual sport, these lessons come with the territory. Playing as part of a team in high school taught me leadership and allowed me to play for something bigger than myself. For me, though, the best thing about playing squash has been all the people I’ve met along the way. Off-court time spent with teammates and friends and all the guidance from the amazing coaches I’ve been fortunate to work with – these are the things I’ll remember best and what I most look forward to continuing in college.
As my journey transitions from junior to college squash, I am deeply thankful to my coaches, parents, and fellow players. Without them, I would not be here today, and I look forward to their continued support and encouragement. At the same time, liam excited to build new connections with the Williams team and coaches, and to continue competing with all my squash friends joining other college teams.
Junior squash has been everything to me. At first it started as something for me to do in the afternoon, but after a while the courts became a second home. Through squash, I learned the importance of sticking through things I don’t want to do, and more importantly, had a place to channel my competitiveness and have a good time. Junior tournaments have also brought me all over the world which would not have happened without squash. After moving back to the US, getting to know everyone, going to five sets more often than ever in my life and being introduced to the camaraderie of team squash, I am very much looking forward to what college squash has to offer all of us.
Squash has been a huge part of my life. Squash has taught me that with hard work, self-belief, and the right support system anything is possible. The learnings and skills that I have developed while playing squash extend far beyond the court, teaching me important life lessons that will help me shape my future. I am grateful to my parents and coaches for their support in getting me to where I am today.Along the way, l’ve made unforgettable memories and long-lasting friendships that I will cherish forever. I am excited to continue my squash journey at Yale.
Squash has been invaluable. Who would have thought that a sport where you hit a ball against four walls would have morphed into a multifaceted tool to develop my confidence, determination, and composure? I wouldn’t have, almost ten years ago when I first picked up a racquet. Training and competing has seriously helped me maintain balance in my life as an amazing outlet from the rigor of school life, too. Junior squash: it’s been real! And I greatly look forward to continuing to play and compete in college squash. I’m very grateful to have had Junior squash as such an integral part of my life, and look forward to seeing what’s next!
