RUD STUDENTS REMAIN CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER AND THE COMMUNITY

Despite the challenges posed by remote programming and the broader impact of the public health crisis, Racquet Up maintains its deep commitment to staying connected with our students, engaging them in thoughtful ways with the community, and opportunities.

While participating in Racquet Up programming from home, the middle school teams completed a virtual postcard making activity. They wrote encouraging notes of appreciation for the staff at the Hartford Nursing & Rehab Center in northwest Detroit. RU students expressed gratitude for their hard work and dedication as essential workers during this trying time.

Guest programming opportunities have also kept students connected to the broader community. For example, Peter Markus, senior writer for InsideOut Literary Arts, facilitated a creative writing workshop with RU middle school students. He encouraged them to imagine their hands (nouns) and the infinite actions connected to them (verbs). At the end of the session, students wrote poems about five things their hands can do.

Finally, Racquet Up students have had amazing opportunities to engage with professional squash players from around the world, thanks to the Squash and Education Alliance. Players like Amanda Sobhy, Ali Farag, and Peter Nicol have all taken a call with students and staff across the network to share their stories, answer questions, and give advice.