ALISO VIEJO Sheridah Bennett, 17, cares about kids. She wants them to be fit and healthy and participate in fun sports’ activities. As an athlete with a special interest in tennis and softball, she spent her summer teaching kids to play tennis at the Family Resource Center. She organized a tennis tournament with prizes and gift certificates for children who participated in the program.
Bennett also taught Vacation Bible School at her church this summer as well as Sunday School during the year. She also spends time with middle-school children during the year as a group co-leader.
Q. Why do you think it’s important for young folks to be fit?
A. It’s important to be fit at a young age to maintain a healthy lifestyle when they get older. Also, being healthy and active is a good confidence booster and a great way to release stress from homework.
Q. How is it different teaching young folks to play tennis rather than teaching adults? And how young can a child be to learn the sport?
A. Teaching young folks to play tennis is quite different from teaching adults because one has to be a little more creative to keep the students’ attention. But everyone tends to love competition. I think a child can be around kindergarten age to start then they become active with other children. They begin to develop their coordination and are looking for ways to develop their skills. Tennis is also great because it keeps kids active and in the game the whole time.
Q. What are the basics of sportsmanship?
A. Sportsmanship is taking the high road. It’s being courteous to your opponents and following the rules of the game. It’s understanding that you will not always have the desired outcome.
Q. Is your family active in athletics?
A. My family is very active in athletics. My brother currently plays football, basketball, and baseball. He has even taken some tennis lessons and was helping me during the summer camp at Iglesia. My father also played football, basketball, and baseball since he was small and continued all of the way through his first two years in college. My mother danced all of the way through high school and participated on the cheer team.
Q. Where would you like to continue your education once you are out of high
school?
A. I started my college applications during the summer. My top choice is U.C. Davis where I am hoping to pursue a major in business and a minor in biology. I may even
study for a masters in health care administration.
Q. How can parents, schools and the community contribute to an awareness of
fitness for children?
A. Keep kids involved in outdoor activities. It’s important to help kids develop good eating habits. Making sure that kids play outside for a couple of hours everyday can make a difference in a child’s fitness and health.
Contact the writer: levezich@ocregister.com or 949-454-7323
