Skyhawks In the Community

Students Step Forward to Help

January 10, 2013 - Last week, TRF's 'Seabiscuit Stable' at Wateree River Correctional Institution in South Carolina was delighted to receive a special, unsolicited donation from the English and Western riding teams at Columbia's Hammond School.

After learning about TRF, the middle and high school students collected bucket loads (literally) of horsecare and farm items to help care for the retired Thoroughbreds at Wateree. Additionally, the inmates participating in TRF's Groom Elite-certified vocational program will also enjoy the educational, equine-themed books, DVDs, and magazines.

Best of all, the teams have pledged to continue helping support and spread awareness of TRF's programs. And perhaps a few of the adoptable Wateree horses might find new homes with students, too!

Baby M poses with TRF-South Carolina President William Cox and Seth Watkins, a young leader in the local equine community who helped spearhead the project.

For more information, click on http://www.trfinc.org/

3rd Annual Rally for the Cure at Hammond School

The 3rd Annual Hammond School Rally for the Cure was held at the Hammond School tennis courts on Saturday November 5th. The Rally is a service project by the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Hammond School. Rally for the Cure is a grass roots program designed to spread awareness of breast health and breast cancer through volunteer organized group activities.  In partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Conde Nast Publications, Rally empowers people to spread the life-saving message of early-detection in their communities through an activity they are passionate about.  There was such an outpouring of support from volunteers, sponsors and participants that made this event truly wonderful.                         

The day’s events consisted of a round robin with two levels of play, a bake sale, silent auction, 1 point tournament, 36 foot court beat the pro, and lunch provided by Cici’s Pizza.

 Participants in the round robins received “goodie bags” and a magazine subscription for entering. The Blue Group Round Robin, for JV high school players and adults with an NTRP level of 3.5 and below, was won by Tyler Horton and Glenn Dufour over Brad Watson and Chris Florian. The Red Group Round Robin, for varsity high school players and adults with an NTRP level of 4.0 and above, was won by Ayan Dasgupta, a Hammond School varsity player, and Spencer Jenkins over Bryan Springer and Blake McGuirt. The 1 point tournament was won by Catherine Herring over Tyler Horton.                                

The silent auction had great items, from concert tickets to Lady Antebellum, Jimmy Buffett, and a Mystery Concert, play tickets to Young Frankenstein, rackets, tennis and travel bags, gift certificates for haircuts and restaurants, tennis lessons donated by local tennis professionals, sunglasses by Maui Jim and Coach and much more.                                                                                                                      

The Rally for the Cure raised over $2600 this year and combined with the other two years a total of over $10,000 has been raised by the Hammond School tennis teams for Susan G. Komen breast cancer awareness.  

At the end of the day everyone felt better knowing they had participated in competition, contests, and camaraderie to benefit a very worthwhile charity.

Thanks to all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors. We are already looking forward to next year.

Hammond Baseball and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

On Thursday October 6th, Hammond parents and players of the Varsity, JV and C team baseball teams raised over $1,900 at the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Over the summer, USC Coach Chad Holbrook, whose son's cancer is in remission, called Coach Ray Derrick at Hammond and asked if his team would like to participate in this great event.  All donations went directly to the societies mission of helping those suffering from this disease. 

Coach Ray Derrick would like to personally thank all who participated in this event

f you would like more information please follow this link. 

The Dam Triathalon 2011

The Hammond Swim Team will make its way to Lake Murray Public Park on October 8th, 2011 to help run the Dam Triathalon.  The triathalon includes a 1000 meter swim, 30 kilometer bike and 7 kilometer run starting at 8am.  The triathalon will benefit the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) Foundation. Sudden arrhythmia death syndromes are genetic heart conditions that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy people. These conditions can be treated and deaths can be prevented. 

Our Swimmers will be involved in the following activities during the day.

• Giving out water at the aid stations on the run course; 11 years and older
• Helping hand out/prepare refreshments at the end of the race; older high schoolers/adults
• Directing runners and cyclists on the run and bike course: high schoolers/adults
• Man a kayak on the lake to direct swimmers on the swim course, prior kayak experience necessary please, and if you have your own kayak and can bring it that would be great OR kayaks will be supplied. highschoolers/adults
• Helping clean up the park area after the race

 For more information on this event, click on http://www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1812