Student Sinai Barrera Reflects on Her Gratitude for STF Community

How has STF and tennis challenged and rewarded your growth?

Yellow beads 

Steeping foot on the tennis court, I am greeted by the scorching summer sky of a lovely 100°F weather. The smell of sunscreen fills the air for I find myself at the Serve the Future summer camp. My desire to improve my tennis skills brought me there but the coaches endorsement made me stay. My name is Sinai Barrera, and I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to tennis and determination to succeed and grow.

I've never been a sports person, but I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself. In my sophomore year of high school, I wanted to join the girl’s tennis team so I could be outside and active. Even though I knew nothing about tennis, I gave it my all during tryouts and was able to make it to the JV girls’ tennis team. From there I climbed the ranks from JV 5 to JV 1 to substituting for Varsity 6! I knew I was making progress every day when I left the court sweaty and red. Determined to improve my skills, I signed up for an amazing opportunity to learn tennis over the summer for free, Serve the Future. It was there where I realized that my fullest potential was yet to be reached. I was missing something that would take me to lengths I could have never imagined. 

During the camp, we would have journaling sessions. One day, Coach Gira led a meditation session where we would visualize a game. I closed my eyes and imagined the scenario: a match. But there was something wrong, I was winning every single point. I had a hard time finishing this meditation because in my head it was not logical. I was not yet at a level where I could win every single point. That is when I realized that I was limiting myself by not believing in my capabilities. My coaches had been patient with me, pushed me, and believed in me. Now it was my turn to believe in myself. To believe that I am capable of winning every single point in a game and being an incredible tennis player.

Coach Leslie helped foster a community that uplifts one another and also challenges us. I would go every day and hit the ball over and over again and the coaches would keep on encouraging me. It made such a difference having someone who believed in me even when I was not the best player. At the end of the day, each student will give each other beads to put in our binder rings. There were various colors, each with a different meaning. Pink was for friendship, purple was for leadership, and yellow was for effort. I always got the yellow bead. But if there is anything I learned from this camp, it is that effort alone can only take you so far. To reach further lengths you could have never imagine, you first have to believe in yourself. Serve the Future helped me believe in me even more. 

Sinai Barrera
Wilson College Prep (PXU Specialty School)
Senior
2 years in STF