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The Southwest DeKalb High Tennis Panthers aced two of their most impressive serves off the court recently. Members of the team spent two weekends performing community service projects that included packing care boxes for the needy and helping with a beautification project.
The students worked with Atlanta’s Grace Fellowship in partnership with Hands on Atlanta’s Teen Service Saturday on Feb. 18. Twenty members of the tennis team sorted and packed donated clothing and food, and worked in the kitchen preparing meals for needy metro area families.
On Feb. 25, 10 members of the team helped spruce up the nearby Hartwood Estates Subdivision’s common areas. Team members removed overgrown bushes and trees, assisted with mulching, and prepared the area to build a walking trail and piers around the Hartwood Estates Lake.
Hands on Atlanta’s mission is to tackle Greater Atlanta’s most pressing needs by igniting a passion for service and creating lifelong community volunteers. Hartwood Estates Subdivision, located less than one mile from Southwest DeKalb High School, has embarked upon the revitalization of its common property. The newly renovated nearly 30-acre common area will include a path and trail around the community lake, lakefront piers, creek-crossing bridges, and a community pavilion.
The Southwest DeKalb Boys and Girls Tennis Teams’ involvement in these community service efforts is a part of the Annual Days of Service and Volunteerism required by Coach Lance Thomas-Davenport. Coach Davenport encourages team members to actively engage in such endeavors to give back and strengthen their communities and society, not only as students but beyond high school into their adult lives.
Maintaining their high aspirations for winning Region Championship Titles, the Southwest DeKalb Girls and Boys Teams are building on last season’s successes. In 2016, the boys finished in 2nd Place in Region 6-AAAAA; the girls posted a 4th place finish in the Region. The 2017 girls are led by senior Taylor Lamb and junior Danielle Mattis. Both Taylor and Danielle have received interest from Division II and Division III college programs. On the boys’ side, the team is led by Division I prospect, senior Jarred Myers and sophomore Javen Gilmore. Freshman Ajari Mattox is quickly making a name for himself.
