Proud Of Our Alumni!

It's always hard following up after Brent's emails because he is a fabulous and inspiring writer, but I would like to add a few of my own thoughts regarding leadership and the role I had at ATA.

Along with Brent, I also had a great conversation with Jack and some ATA players on their way back from a tournament last weekend. The question was: How would you describe your transition from a younger kid in the academy who looked up to the older kids as leaders to developing into a leader yourself who others looked up to? It didn't take me long to look back and remember those moments because they happen to be some of my fondest memories in the academy.

Although it seems like there is so much more to learn as a younger kid looking up to the older ones, the truth is actually that you learn just as much (if not more) about yourself and about others when you are in the leadership position. Like Brent said, "Being in a position to be a leader was the greatest opportunity that I had at the ATA." I 100% agree with that statement.

Believe me, it was fun, but it was also a challenge. As a leader, there are expectations that people set for you and ones that you set for yourself. You are in complete responsibility to not only strive to meet these expectations, but to also raise the bar and reach for higher ones. The sky is the limit!!! That is where it becomes fun. You never know how great of a leader you can be until you test yourself. I walked into ATA as a freshman and completely unexpectedly, I was awarded MVP at the end of my freshmen year by my fellow teammates.

After realizing how special it was to receive that award, I wanted to become the best leader that I possibly could. The next three years, I was able to enjoy the growth and develop of becoming that leader. I raised my own standards and always tried to be a leader on and off the court. And by doing so, I learned so much about myself. Remember that taking on a leadership position, is a very special role that will help you for the rest of your life. It did not stop for me at ATA.

To this day as a college tennis player, I continue to try and be the best leader I can and still learn more and more about what that means to me and those around me. It's an honor to be a leader.

Lindsey Pereira