The sound of cheers and applause filled the air at Woodlands Middle/High School as bright green ribbons fluttered in the breeze and the new tennis courts were officially unveiled. Students stood shoulder to shoulder with coaches, families, community members, and local leaders, all gathered to celebrate a project years in the making.
There was joy, gratitude, and unmistakable pride. The Woodlands tennis players, who once traveled off-site for home matches, could hardly contain their excitement when they first saw the completed courts two weeks ago. “They were jumping up and down, screaming with excitement,” recalled longtime coach Jodi Manne. “The first time they stepped onto them to play, you could see how proud they were. I’m confident these courts will help us grow our program and attract even more players.”
Senior athlete Frida Tecalero echoed that pride, saying the new facility feels like a game-changer. “It feels amazing to have these new courts,” she said. “We’ve always had to travel back and forth for our home games, and this is so rewarding. It feels like we’re on par with visiting teams and that we can play better because these are our home courts.”
The celebration drew district leaders, Board of Education members, Town of Greenburgh officials, State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, alumni, and parents, all sharing in the sense of excitement and accomplishment. Among the crowd were Superintendent Dr. Lorenda Chisolm, Athletic Director Mike McCoy, Trustee David Warner, and parent and Facilities Committee member Gabriela Barahona, who each spoke about the teamwork and community pride that brought the project to life.
The new courts are part of Greenburgh CSD’s capital improvement initiative to enhance facilities and learning experiences across the district. Addressing the crowd, Dr. Chisholm said, “This is more than a new facility; it’s a symbol of our commitment to student wellness, athletics, and the overall growth of our school community. I am grateful to everyone who made this possible, including the community, for its support of this capital project.”
In his remarks, Mr. McCoy noted that while tennis is often viewed as an individual sport, the work behind these courts was anything but individual. “It took partnership, coordination, and shared purpose on and off the court to make this happen,” he said.
Among those returning to campus for the first time in years was 2015 graduate and former Woodlands tennis player Nadine Bourne. She said it was meaningful to be back to see how far the program and facilities have come. “This brings back so many amazing memories,” she said. “I’m so happy for the team that they have this kind of support and can enjoy these beautiful new courts.”
Also woven into the ceremony was a recognition of CODA (Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness) and The Harris Project, with founder Stephanie Marquesano present. Students Sofia Ruiz and Frida Tecalero spoke about Woodlands’ support for the initiative and the importance of raising awareness about co-occurring disorders and how families can access help.
The ribbon cutting came at an especially exciting time for the Woodlands tennis program. As the event was occurring, two student-athletes competed at Sectionals — the first time in recent memory that Woodlands players have reached that level of competition. It was yet another sign of a program on the rise and a community that believes in its students’ potential.
As the ceremony came to a close, Dr. Chisolm gathered students, coaches, and community members at the gate to the new facility. With a single cut of the ribbon, the crowd erupted once again—a moment of pride, progress, and promise for the Greenburgh Central community.