STHS student's senior project shows him how to give back through sports

Seniors at South Tahoe High School must pick something to do for their senior project, a requirement of graduation, one that pushes them to do something different and unfamiliar. Some students learn to play a guitar, while others do stand up comedy. And some students like Ethan Strain, learn how to give back to their community and work with children.

The students must select an advisor for their project, someone who knows the chosen subject and can guide the student to a successful completion.

Strain is working with Amy Jackson, who not only is a counselor with Lake Tahoe Unified School District, but is also the founder of Sports Connection. The non-profit was founded by Jackson in 2007 in response to the many children in South Lake Tahoe who were not participating in sports due to lack of finances, language and transportation. By helping overcome these barriers, at-risk kids are provided the sense of belonging and the opportunity to build confidence through playing sports made possible by Sports Connection.

Ethan has been mentoring with Jackson to learn social outreach, and how to involve underserved children in sports. what started out as a conversation in a car ride to Los Angeles for a basketball tournament turned out to be his senior project. Jackson told Strain about the barriers many South Lake Tahoe youth have when it comes to participating in many activities, sports included.

"He had a real empathy for why that happens," said Jackson.

He has learned the benefit of sports for kids, and put his knowledge to task when he recently conducted a two-day baseball clinic for local children. These kids from the Family Resource Center are now able to start playing in Little League through the support of Sports Connection. Strain also raised the funds needed to buy each child in his clinic a baseball mitt.

During the first clinic, Strain was joined by two of his South Tahoe High basketball teammates, Denzel Perez and Hirshal Sukha. The three ran the kids through drills of catching, throwing and other baseball skills. With most of the participants not having played baseball before, Strain's clinic was helpful to the rookies.

Strain is most likely headed to the University of California San Diego in the fall.

Jackson's Sports Connection has been able to help 100 children in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2007. A $100 donation allows a student to play two to three sports per year. Those wishing to donate, or even donate in the name of another in memory, may contact Amy Jackson at 530.307.4046 or by email at korujacksons@sbcglobal.net.