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ATA Academy Players Excel At Excellence

The USTA Texas Super Champ Excellence tournaments unfolded last weekend, with many ATA Academy players bringing home hardware. The 12s and 16s served in up in San Antonio, while the 14s and 18s went to work in Wichita Falls.

In San Antonio, Grayson Broadus blasted through the Boy’s 18s A draw, winning four straight matches to take the title.

“Grayson had an outstanding event,” Coach Vince Segovia said. “He only dropped
one set all weekend and played some of his best tennis in a while.”

Payton Holden and Erik Kerrigan both claimed championship crowns in their respective Boy’s 18s C draws, each going 4-0 through the weekend.

“Payton won his draw without losing a set. Didn’t play his best but did a great job managing his matches,” Coach Segovia said. “Erik Kerrigan played very well, he did not drop a set as well. Beat a tough opponent in the final. Over all at the boys 18 site, we won 25 out of 32 matches, good weekend.”

In Wichita Falls, Ela Raczka earned an Excellence title by winning four straight matches in the Girl’s 12s A draw.

ATA CP Senior Grayson Broadus Practices With Ryan Harrison

ATA senior Grayson Broadus, fresh off his Texas Excellence Boys 18s victory last weekend, got a challenging practice today with ATP world ranked Ryan Harrison.

“Practicing with Ryan was really fun but extremely exhausting,” Grayson said.

Grayson and Ryan drilled for the majority of the practice, focusing on lengthy baseline rallies and patterns.

“He was really encouraging and helpful with pointers,” Grayson added.

ATA COLLEGE PREP – Did You Know?

ATA College Prep is a fully-accredited private school.

The average class size is 5 students.

CP has an online communication system for assignments, grades and messaging between students, teachers, parents and coaches.

ATA CP instructors collaborate weekly about ways to best serve each student.

CP provides student aid for in depth college searches and application processes.

The ATACP curriculum does not teach to a standardized test, we teach to the student. However, instructors will facilitate preparation for AP or board exams of the student’s selection.

Average SAT scores for our graduates are well above the national average: Critical Reading 620, Math 620, Writing 600.

Recent graduates have applied and have been admitted to USAF, Florida State, Notre Dame, University of Chicago, Pomona, and Amherst.

DID YOU KNOW?

Students use day planners and follow a college schedule, which inspires time management and organization.

Most students are able to manage their study-hall times to lessen their home studies to about one hour per night.

Students participate in a daily inspirational reading, written reflection and verbal sharing to practice self-awareness, goal setting, and intrinsic motivation.

DID YOU KNOW?

This year’s theme is: Global Citizenship… And our Humanities-rich curriculum weaves together Literature, History and Geography as we travel around the globe by region.

CP students participate in monthly field trips and guest speaker series.

ATA CP students learn 10 new vocabulary words each week… and compete twice a year in competitive spelling/vocabulary bees.

ATA CP has a student-led mentor/mentee program.

Students give oral presentations and practice speeches in front of the entire student body multiple times throughout the year.

Students tutor each other in math labs and study halls, which enhances collaboration skills and solidifies in depth understanding of previously learned material.

As an example of multi-level overlapping curricula that leads to interesting out of class discussions: Level 1 Life Science students, Level 2 Biology students, and Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology students are all currently discussing cellularity.

Nutrition and Big Decisions are taught as part of our Health curriculum.

We offer Spanish, Chinese, Latin and French.

We read, analyze, annotate, discuss and write reflections for approximately eight novels and numerous supplementary poems and short stories each year.

Students are encouraged and supported to create and explore their own interests for credit through: dual credit courses at ACC, The Great Courses, internships, and individualized passion projects.

To learn more, please reach out to ATA CP Head Of School Carol Hagar.

Abigail Chiu Wins USTA Gold Ball National Title

Abigail Chiu added another Gold Ball to her collection last weekend by winning the 2014 USTA National Doubles Championship with her partner, Elizabeth Porter.

“Winning a USTA Gold Ball, winning a national age group championship is the pinnacle of junior tennis in the USA,” ATA CEO Jack Newman said.

Chiu and Porter fought for five straight victories against the top Girl’s 16s competition from across the country. In the final round, the dominant duo defeated the number three-seeded team of Burchell and Corse 6-3, 6-4.

“Abigail repeats her performance from last year at this event winning with two different partners,” Coach Newman said. “Abigail’s skill set is extremely strong in doubles. She serves and returns well, as do many of her peers. Where she distinguishes herself is the ability to come forward. She can serve and volley, she can chip and charge on returns and she can finish with both power and finesse. Her energy and intensity were a 10 out 10 at this event, allowing her to get the most out of her skills.”

Consistently reaching the final days of National events typically leads to attention from some of the top collegiate programs in the country, and Coach Newman sees that in the future for Abigail.

“Players who are in the hunt for national CHAMIONSHIPS are often following that accomplishment by being heavily recruited Division 1 college athletes,” Coach Newman said.

Many other ATA Academy players earned their way into this prestigious event, including Haydn Steffes, Tyler Anson, Chase Bartlett, Alejandro Rodriguez and Harrison Chiu.

Pictures From Afternoon Spring Break Camp

Day one of Spring Break Camp was a blast! See pictures from the afternoon below. If you missed day one, there is still time – sign up for any of the remaining days by clicking here!

Coach Doug and the girls

Eric Morris elevates into a forehand.

Matthew Gavrilov balances as the backhand approaches.

Alejandro Rodriguez steps into the court to attack a backhand.

Sign Up For The 17th Annual AWTA Mixed Doubles Mixer

We hope you are getting excited about the 17th Annual AWTA Mixed Doubles Mixer/Tournament scheduled for Friday evening, March 21, 2014 at the Austin Tennis Academy! For those who have played before, you know how fun it is, so just mail in your entry now. For those of you who haven’t played before, you are in for a fun evening of tennis and socializing. We play tennis, mingle, drink and eat delicious food, so that’s basically it! We have adult beverages and adult food, so 21 and over please.

We play either King and Queen of the Mountain OR First-to-4 mini-set in a round robin format in 2 flights, the Social Flight (7.5 combined rating and above) and the Extremely Social Flight (7.5 combined rating and below). Typically any 4.0 players, regardless of their combined rating are placed in the Social Flight; however, last year we had such a strong group that we put 4.0s in the Extremely Social Flight, so it just depends. Players sign up with partners or I will do my best to try and find one for you.

Entries (including payment) must be mailed in advance, as it is extremely not fun to collect money on the night of the tournament!

We will be awarding coveted bag tags for First Place in each flight as well as “Most Extremely Social” and “Most Social” teams! So work on your social graces folks!

Please email or call me at Deb.Cahill@austintennisacademy.com (512-680-8057) with any questions and make sure to snail mail your entry forms and check(s) ASAP!! Feel free to forward this to your teammates and tennis friends. Your non-playing spouse/significant other (over 21) may attend for free! We also welcome on-site subs to fill in for players!

Abigail Chiu Wins Singles Title In Wichita Falls

The ATA SuperChamp athletes traveled to Houston and Wichita Falls to compete in the March Major Zones. While the 12s/14s event in Houston was a complete wash, the 16s/18s we’re able to compete on Sunday and complete the tournament.

Abigail Chiu, competing in the Girl’s 18s, claimed the championship crown in her singles draw by going undefeated.

“Abigail played great this weekend!!” Coach Leighton Forshee said. “She handled the terrible conditions beautifully and used the wind to her advantage in the semis and finals. She was mentally a rock and beat two girls she had lost to the last time she played them.”

In the Boy’s 16s, Payton Holden finished in the final four by reaching the semifinals. Payton took down A. Chieffalo 7-6(3), 7-5 in the quarterfinals.

In the Boy’s 18s A draw, Spencer Chiu fought his way to the quarterfinals, taking down the number 2 seeded Henry Adams 6-7(4), 6-4, 11-9 for his second victory.

“I thought Spencer Chiu played very well in this event, making it to the quarters,” Coach Jack Newman said. “He used lefty patterns well and did not let the extreme wind impact his attitude.”

Granville Kaynor reached the quarterfinals of the Boy’s 16s A draw.

“Granville played very well to reach the quarters,” Coach Vince Segovia said. “He is playing with a lot more confidence.”

In the Girl’s 16s, Adi Ford won a tough first round match 2-6, 6-3, 10-4, and impressed Coach Vince in doing so.

“Adi competed very well especially after a week off due to illness, great comeback in her first round match,” Coach Vince said.

While the rain washed away the entire event in Houston and caused doubles and consolation to be cancelled in Wichita Falls, the ATA athletes were still able to earn impressive results once they took the court. Congratulations to everyone who competed last weekend, and good luck in upcoming tournaments!

Pictures From Afternoon Spring Break Camp

Day one of Spring Break Camp was a blast! See pictures from the afternoon below. If you missed day one, there is still time – sign up for any of the remaining days by clicking here!

Coach Doug and the girls

Eric Morris elevates into a forehand.

Matthew Gavrilov balances as the backhand approaches.

Alejandro Rodriguez steps into the court to attack a backhand.

DAILY bREAD for Families

“The decline in SAT scores has a lot to do with not reading … The ability to read is linked to the ability to process, analyze and comprehend information, … I guess that’s called thinking.” ~Donald M. Stewart, College Board President

Michael Silverblatt of “Bookworm” uses an analogy that young people might find more persuasive: “Just as people who don’t work out can’t do certain things with their bodies, people who don’t read can’t do certain things with their minds.”

There is no way to cram for reading comprehension… just as there is no way to cram for stamina. You may want to run a marathon, but you won’t be able to succeed without regular training that builds up to the culminating event or events. You may want to squat 225lbs, but you will need to practice with diligence for an extended period of time to build up the required strength. You may want to have $1 million dollars invested in your retirement account by age 30, but unless you begin the investment early and care for it over a period of time, you are likely to come up short. And you may want to score well on the SAT exam, but in order to do so, you need to put in the time, the diligence, and the vested effort in growing your brain, your thought processes and your stamina for thinking. You cannot build a muscle in a day, but you can choose to practice strengthening it every day.

So it is with reading. It should be a daily practice. Like eating… you don’t eat a week’s worth of food in 1 hour… so why would you try to do it with reading. Take a bit each day and with each word, grow your stamina and your comprehension. Yearn to learn and learn to read.

So… what is your Daily bREAD? Instead of turning on the television, why not sit down for 30 minutes and read as a family? At first, it may take more time and energy, but as with any good investment, it begins to grow with less input… and the payoff is well worth it.

Incredible Teachers Change Lives

CP Instructors continually strive to inspire and create hands-on projects and unique activities to stimulate the developments of CP students.

Taylor Mali reminds you that Teachers Make a Difference

A Whirlwind in DC

I spent a few days with some of the greatest creative minds in education. The 2013 Advanc-Ed Summit was held in Washington DC and the focus was Successful Learning in the Digital Age. While I was really looking forward to the inspirational architecture, history and messaging intertwined throughout the sites of our nation’s capital, I was surprised to find just as much stimulating insight through the events and speakers at the Summit.

I was honored to meet Sir Ken Robinson, author, inspirational TedTalk speaker, advocate for education revolution, and the keynote speaker for the event. He spoke about the immense opportunities to lead the changes for education out of the industrial age and into the digital age. Sir Ken’s School Kills Creativity is a favorite TedTalk of mine and his books – The Element, and Out of Our Minds – inspire us to demand creativity as the forefront of our education.

Next, I visited with Dr Steve Perry (on Oprah in July) who is an MLK style visionary implementing change as the principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in addition to authoring, Push Has Come To Shove: Getting Our Kids The Education They Deserve – Even If It Means Picking A Fight.

I also heard from members of the teaching community of U Penn and Washington U, and had breakfast with Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President of Education.

Although many of the break out sessions still asked questions based on the old paradigm of education and one that still stems from an industrial age, many private and public schools are implementing dynamic changes, much like ATA College Prep. However, it is clear to me that we are definitely on the cutting edge of where true education is headed. All of the buzz phrases and ideas – blended learning, credit awarded for off-campus activities, rewarding performance instead of seat time, self-pacing, hiring experts over certified teachers – which were being thrown around in presentations and topical discussions are all things that we have been doing for years at CP, and even more years ago through small, focused, leadership and home education models. You see, the goal of a broad liberal arts education strives to liberate the mind and free its creative nature, rather than fill it with a common list of skills deemed necessary to fit into the assembly line of workers.

The highlight of the Summit, the closing ceremony featured 3 students who are practicing owning the responsibility of education. They have each created and developed their own start-ups, campaigns, or designed part of their course loads during the latter part of high school. They shared personal stories of why schools have failed them, how they have been supported, and what can be done to improve education, as well as the impact of mentor relationships. One young man is creating a template for high school students to defend their knowledge acquisition through unique and performance-based expert presentation options rather than standardized tests.

Out of the mouths (and minds) of babes come a great deal of wisdom… and we should listen!

At ATA CP, I am proud that we create mentoring relationships, stretch the mind, afford opportunity to grow in many directions… and that we strive to do it in creative and entertaining ways. After all, isn’t that what learning is? Loving to learn about who we are and who we are becoming in an ever-changing world of beauty.

Looking forward! ~Carol

Aptitude or Attitude… What Are We Looking For?

Harvard receives over 40,000 applications each year. About 2,000 of those applicants are accepted and just over 1,600 enroll as freshman*. And each year at Harvard and at each of the other 2,000 degree-granting colleges and universities, this process begins with admissions counselors pouring over applicants in a dauntingly speedy manner in order to flesh out the most interesting XX {37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9}. So how do they accomplish this? Who meets the criteria? What are they looking for?

Inquiring CP students want to know, so we engaged in an interactive discussion featuring the questions that college admissions boards members have ruminating in their heads while reading. They include questions that roughly fit into four categories: Growth & Potential, Interests & Activities, Character & Personality, Contribution to Community. We took the sampling below and read them aloud, contemplating how we think about and exemplify each in our daily lives. It is a thought-provoking list and may offer many topics for conversation around the dinner table.

Have you reached your maximum academic and personal potential?

Have you been stretching yourself?

Have you been working to capacity in your academic pursuits, your full-time or part-time employment, or other areas?

Do you have reserve power to do more?

How have you used your time?

Do you have initiative? Are you a self-starter? What motivates you?

Do you have a direction yet? What is it? If not, are you exploring many things?
Where will you be in one, five, or 25 years?

Will you contribute something to those around you?

What sort of human being are you now? What sort of human being will you be in the future?

Do you care deeply about anything—intellectual? Extracurricular? Personal?

What have you learned from your interests? What have you done with your interests? How have you achieved results? With what success or failure? What have you learned as a result?

In terms of extracurricular, athletic, community, or family commitments, have you taken full advantage of opportunities?

What is the quality of your activities? Do you appear to have a genuine commitment or leadership role?

If you have not had much time in high school for extracurricular pursuits due to familial, work, or other obligations, what do you hope to explore at college with your additional free time?

What choices have you made for yourself? Why?

Are you a late bloomer?

How open are you to new ideas and people?

What about your maturity, character, leadership, self-confidence, warmth of personality, sense of humor, energy, concern for others, and grace under pressure?

Will you be able to stand up to the pressures and freedoms of college life?

Will you contribute something to Harvard and to your classmates? Will you benefit from your college experience?

Would other students want to room with you, share a meal, be in a seminar together, be teammates, or collaborate in a close knit extracurricular group?

*information compiled from CollegeBoard, Harvard and personal counselor meetings

In the Field – Trips for Change

Chalk up another CP field trip… this time for girls only. Why did we choose a movie day instead of a day in the classroom? Today, we traveled around the globe to learn the stories of nine young girls who face a litany of injustices – like child slavery, abuse, and arranged marriages – mostly before age 11. Even under the threat of enormous obstacles, these brave girls tell their story of hope and determination, demanding an education so they may turn around their own lives and force greater change in the world at large. Stories are told through artistic imagery and narrated by some of Hollywood’s most compassionate actors and actresses. Girl Rising made an impact on our own young CP students and challenged them to rise and become change-makers.

Onward and Upward, Carol

You’ve Heard It Before… Don’t Text & Drive

It can wait

Laws of Giving and Receiving

The universe operates through dynamic exchange – giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy throughout the universe. Through our willingness to give what we wish to receive, we keep abundance circulating in our lives.

Put this to work in your life:

1) Bring a gift to whoever you encounter today – a compliment, a prayer, and kind thought, a flower.

2) Gratefully receive all that life has to offer you today. Notice the gifts in nature and in the people and lessons around you.

3) Recognize the most important gifts of caring, affection, appreciation. love. Gift these to everyone you see today.

At CP, we have been discussing the Law of Giving and Receiving and ways we can commit to give and receive willingly and consciously. As we silently viewed this inspirational V IDEO, we noted that true giving transcends the barriers of language and distance.

SOMOS ATA CP!

Check out this student created video.

SOMOS ATA CP!

Community Clean Up

Pudding cookie sweet oat cake bear claw. Marshmallow apple pie pastry chocolate cake dragée jujubes marshmallow topping liquorice. Gummies toffee pastry Lorem Applicake marshmallow pastry chocolate caramels jelly danish carrot cake wafer. Gingerbread gummi bears candy topping pastry. Liquorice cotton candy candy chocolate cake cotton candy candy marzipan jelly. Icing chupa chups jelly beans bonbon.

Chocolate bar tart macaroon. Marzipan biscuit brownie sesame snaps. Candy canes lemon drops donut caramels donut. Chocolate cake jelly donut wafer tiramisu cupcake danish jelly-o jujubes.

Latin Projects

Yesterday, I gave some of the Latin students a challenge to create a model of an ancient Roman temple. This topic followed up on a lesson about the Roman forum and the forum of Pompeii from earlier in the year.

Chase and Caleb competed to see who could sketch the most accurate temple on the board. Caleb was interested in drawing a circular temple, while Chase put a lot of detail into the triangular pediment of his temple.

In Latin class, we rely on multimedia as a tool to bring the culture, archeology, and artifacts of ancient Rome to life. Chase studied photographs of several Roman temples to design his own masterpiece.

Besides images and technology, our Latin course is focused on mastering and applying language skills such as vocabulary, grammar, and prose composition. Here, Jackson just put the finishing touches on writing a Latin sentence.

ATA’s student athletes are always hungry for competition, so it should come as no surprise that grammar and vocabulary contests are their favorite way to practice foreign languages. Here, Brennan and Meghan compete head-to-head to write the correct form of a Latin verb.

Sock Drive and SafePlace Drive

from Ms Flanagan

The Kids in Business class has been working hard to make the ATACP Sock Drive and SafePlace Drive as successful as possible.

As donations rolled in, students counted and organized:

The donations we received from our ATA community were beyond generous! So generous that Ms. Flanagan could barely carry it all!

The drive was a great success thanks to the hard work of our students and the generosity of our ATACP family!

In the end ATACP donated: 275 socks, 38 items of clothing and some handmade Christmas notes from our students to Foundation for the Homeless. And 200 items of clothing, 5 pairs of shoes, 14 canned goods and 4 cellphones to SafePlace.

Both organizations are very glad to have these donations for Christmas.

Coding in Math & Logic

This week over 5 million students worldwide will participate in the Hour of Code – and try their hand at coding for the first time. Today in Math & Logic, CP students logged on to the Khan Academy, and worked through an interactive basic coding session. They discovered functions, parameters, commands – the basics of technological coding. They also ‘drew’ some pretty cool images using basic shapes and color fills.

The genius minds and founders of Facebook, Microsoft, and Google all started their journeys with just one line of code; now CP kids have been given the same chance – to not only use the technology of the future, but also to create it.

Check out the Hour of Code on Khan Academy.

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