On the 28th of May 2011, Austin Tennis Academy College Prep graduated its first two seniors. The night was all about setting precedence as the seniors and school staff looked to start traditions. Seniors Aaron Chaffee and Taylor Shamshiri had a unique opportunity to mold their graduation into the makings of a long time tradition.

 

Opening the night was ATA College Prep Founder and Principal, Carol Hagar. Mrs. Hagar spoke words of wisdom concerning the new life that Aaron and Taylor are about the step into. She challenged Aaron and Taylor to pursue excellence as they had here in the ATA community. As she finished, ATA CEO Jack Newman called forward Josh Hagar and Jeffery Offerdahl to say a few words about the seniors.

 

 

Accompanied by videos commemorating the graduates produced by Brooke Hughes, Josh and Jeff described their unique relationships with Aaron and Taylor. Both seniors were commonly described as argumentative, mentoring, and ultra competitive, to which both seniors simply smiled and shook their heads.

 

 

The seniors were asked come forward. At this time Coach Newman and Carol presented each with the 2011 ATA College Prep class ring and diploma, and handed them the mic.  Aaron spoke of his time living alone with Coach Newman, and how it challenged and changed him. Taylor thanked the entire community and whole heartedly told of how special this lifestyle had been to him. Both were sincerely grateful for all ATA had done for them.

 

 

Jack Newman then went on the give the final speech of the night on “A Hero’s Journey.” He spoke of the call to adventure - how each young graduate had come to ATA naive with certain goals, habits, and character; which then lead to the roads of trials - the hurdles in both tennis and life. The journey ends with a return to home as a master of two worlds. He was pleased to say just how much these young boys had changed and grown into the men they are today. He recognized that the road of trials does not end here, and that each man still has his own “Ultimate Boon” in achieving his goal of the quest. His voice was filled with confidence as spoke of how he knew both these men would excel in their next trials.

 

 

But this graduation was more than the send off of two matured young men. It was the first graduation. This ceremony set the standards for years to come. From the middle school graduates being awarded necklaces for their completion, to the seniors being given the class rings, and in the passing down of the ATA marble ball from the seniors to juniors, this marked the first of many to come. And in this we find the assurance of many more heroes to be tested.