Kids are the heart and soul of SquashBusters. Selected for the program in sixth grade, from either the James P. Timilty or Dearborn Middle Schools in Roxbury, students can participate in the program for up to seven years – from 6th through 12th grade. 

SquashBusters intentionally keeps the ratio of students to staff and volunteers low, 1:1 for tutoring and coaching and 1:6 for group activities like community service projects and cultural outings. Through this attention, kids and adults get to know each other well, developing close relationships over a long period of time.

The kids who participate in SquashBusters bring a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds and experiences to the program. The thread that weaves through them all, connecting them to the program, is the effort they put forth in their school work and on the court, the respect they show for themselves and others, and the high motivation they have to be part of the SquashBusters team.

SquashBusters has a strong alliance with its two main educational partners, the Dearborn and  Timilty Schools in Roxbury. The leadership within both schools is extremely supportive of SquashBusters. The former Timilty principal, Roger Harris, serves on the Advisory Board of Directors. The teachers stay connected to the program and the kids by meeting each week with SquashBusters’ Academic and Community Service Director. The schools applaud the effect SquashBusters is having on each student’s academic performance. Teachers attend practices, squash tournaments, the annual teachers vs. students squash match and the year-end picnic.

“Never have we seen an after-school program which offers such an intense combination of athletics and academic support for our students. A very important educational partnership between the Timilty School community and SquashBusters has been forged. It is a partnership that is positively impacting the academic, athletic, and social lives of many inner-city children.”

Gert Sweeney, 6th Grade Coordinator
James P. Timilty Middle School

This year, we will have two middle school teams, one 7th grade team and one 8th grade team, and our high school team will be made up of 9th-12th grade students. 

Team 8 - 7th Grade

Stephanie Almeida
Randolph Alvarez
James Alves
Lonsangila Baptista
Savannah Bell
Kevin Brito
Kamala Brown
Jason Cerone
Silvia Chicha
Silviana Chicha
Katherine Christopher
William Pope Dedrick
Keven Depina
Sara Dossantos
Michael Felicianocruz
Kelvin Freire
Stephen Grace
Tiana Grant
Darius Hollis
Lisa Imafidon
Jerry Lafume
Jada McNeil
Kadeem Murrell
Lizandro Noguiera
Josh Ocasio
Deanna Pettway
Deridelson Pina
Edna Pires
Zusex Romeo
Kenny Rousseau
Benny Sanquintin
Henry Santana
Kevin Smith

Team 7 - 8th Grade

Valandrhah Abraham
Vanessa Anderson
Tenaya Bacon
Edmilson Barbosa
Anairys Calderon
Louis Casiano
Aaron Coss
William Fernandes
Joshua Figueroa
Reginald Gay
Angelica Gomez
Gary Gonzalez
Abel Hailu
Kyana Houston
Khalilah Jones
Kiana Lara
Jermaine Maddrey
Akelia Medford
Frank Melo
Jerome Mitchell
Gloria Nwahoa
Ngozi Nwahoa
Darwyn Nunez
Benedict Osajie
Raudy Perez
Pierol Perez-Torres
David Pham
Christian Rodriguez
Zoe Russell
Amy Sanchez
Sadiki Solomon
Yamiles Urena
Brendy Velez
Brianna Venus

High School Team

Chris Alvares
Jocelyn Arocho
Kevin Baptista
Tyla Baker
Ivan Casiano
Randy Coplin
Sharinna Deleon
Alex Depina
Juan Esteves
Rodney Galvao
Ronald German
Rony Gomes
Abdiel Gonzalez
Diego Gonzalez
Joel Gonzalez
Jessica Greaves
Audrey Guerrero
Tesfa Hailu
Jenny Huynh
Mahmud Jalloh
Ellery Kirkconnell
Ida Kirnon
Iva Kirnon
Soranyi Luna
Humzuh Mahmood
Mustapha Mahmood
Jason Martinez
Robert Medina
Bernie St. Vil
Darryl Soto
Kilsy Soto
Trinh Tat
Andrea Tran
Hoai Tran
Bianca Vega
Nicole Vila