Yale University

Class News

Jon McBride ’64 reports a great year for Squash Haven

July 30, 2022

Jon McBride, our Class Council liaison to Squash Haven, reported a great year for this New Haven youth organization, under the direction of Julie Greenwood. Squash Haven uses the squash facilities at Payne Whitney Gymnasium and support by the squash team at Yale to mentor New Haven high-school youth, mostly from disadvantaged areas, to prepare them for college.

In addition to Class of 1964 support, Jon also reported that nineteen 1964 classmates donated a total of $6,000 directly to Squash Haven, for a total class support of $10,000. This total support moves the Class of 1964 up from the supporter category of "Sterling Friend" ($5000 and up) to the supporter category of "Leadership Friend" ($10,000 and up), as reported in Squash Haven's Annual Report. Classmates familiar with the great work done by Squash Haven applaud its vitality and results, even during the COVID period. They even teach the kids how to write thoughtful “thank you” notes.

Squash Haven’s Newsletter


Above (l to r): Alston and Atzi graduated from Engineering and Science Magnet School (ESUMS); Alanis became our second Master's degree recipient, and Kai'ona posed proudly
with her degree from High School in the Community.

A Record NINE College Grads and our SECOND Master's Degree Recipient lead the Squash Haven Class of 2022

It has been a banner graduation season for Squash Haven team members, with twenty 8th-grade graduates, nine high-school graduates, a program-record nine college graduates, and our second master's degree recipient. We are so proud of the effort and commitment of all of our diploma bearers.

This year’s college graduates have been outstanding participants at Squash Haven for a combined 91 years. They shone on their respective college campuses and are taking their first steps towards careers in a variety of fields.

Congratulations to the following team members on their degrees in a wide range of majors and from an impressive list of alma maters:

  • Michelle — Brown University, Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Jawad — Connecticut College, Computer Science
  • Johanile — Connecticut College, Philosophy and Psychology
  • Freddie — Dickinson College, International Business and Management
  • Oosie — Dickinson College, International Business and Management
  • Pratiksha — Franklin and Marshall, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Hector — Hamilton College, Biology and French
  • Melissa — Mount Holyoke College, Psychology
  • Taniya — Villanova University, Marketing

Congratulations are also in order for our second Master's Degree recipient, who is soon to become our first medical school student in the fall:

  • Alanis — Drexel University MS, Biomedical Sciences

Year-End Awards Honor Effort, Character, Leadership, and Achievement


Above (l to r): SEA Future Star Oscar; Alston receiving the Winokur Award
with the award's namesake and Squash Haven Founding Chair Pug Winokur;
and rising Dickinson senior Jocelyn showcasing her Talbott Award

Team members’ accomplishments were celebrated in recent weeks at school, at the Squash and Education Alliance national championships, and at Squash Haven. Congratulations are in order for the following award recipients, among others:

  • Oscar, who was named the Squash and Education Alliance’s Future Star, the highest honor for a middle-school student. Oscar was selected from over 1000 middle-school participants nationally for his outstanding commitment to the overarching values of the SEA network: effort, respect for and concern about other people, integrity, character and leadership.

  • Amherst-bound Alston, who received the Pug Winokur Award, given annually to a graduating Squash Haven high-school senior who has distinguished themselves in their intellectual curiosity, work ethic, academic achievement, leadership, and love of sport.

  • Rising college seniors Nicole (Georgetown) and Jocelyn (Dickinson), who were named our Dave Talbott College Stars of the Year in recognition of their passion, curiosity, drive, loyalty, and commitment to service.

  • Sisters Andrea (middle school) and Jocelyn (high school), who received the Most Improved Awards in honor of their growth as students AND athletes.

  • Mohammed (Rookie), Brian (Middle School), and Arianna (High School), who received Squash Haven’s coveted Star of the Year awards for outstanding character, leadership, and achievement.

Squash Haven Celebrates FIFTEEN years


Above (l to r): Alums Jocelyn, Rafi, Freddie, Leslie, Oosie, Wengel, and Yassin
flank Executive Director Julie (3rd from right) as we celebrate our 15th.

In addition to celebrating every member of Squash Haven, we also celebrated fifteen years of outstanding growth, learning, commitment, and community. Here’s to fifteen more, starting with summer programming that starts next week.

Forward Together!

Team Squash Haven