On Sunday, October 10th, mef and OVS English teacher Brad Weidlich attended a tennis marathon at the local courts of Ojai’s beautiful Libbey Park. Playing 56 games in a matter of 4 hours deemed to be just as strenuous as it seems, but gave me an absolutely amazing Sunday morning. Competing with other players within my age range and skill level, I was able to enhance my tennis skills as well as make friendships in the process.

But these tennis matches were not just for practice.

OVYF, the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, is a program designed to enhance the lives of Ojai Valley youths through recreational activities, mentor programs, and leadership events.

Every year, the OVYF holds a tennis marathon in which both adults and children gather to compete in over 5o games of doubles, no ad scoring tennis.

But these games aren’t the only thing that makes this day special.

Before playing tennis on that warm sunday afternoon, each youth player was required to raise a minimum amount of 150 dollars while the adults took on the even bigger challenge of raising a minimum of 350 dollars. With the help of relatives, friends, and the Ojai Valley School, Mr. Brad Weidlich and myself were able to raise a total amount of 650 dollars that directly benefit the youth of Ojai.

Mr. Brad Weidlich, a wonderful English teacher with a genuine desire to help the local Ojai community, inspired me to go out and make a difference. And just like that, we did.