Even with a small group of two student athletes tonight, four of our amazing volunteers turned out to deliver 1-on-1 support and companionship on the court. Grateful for this amazing team and looking forward to growing together!
Amy Luo is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and brings extensive experience tutoring children with learning disabilities outside of her academic studies. As both a public health researcher and recreational tennis player, Amy is passionate about promoting the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport as well as advancing inclusivity in tennis so that players of all abilities have the opportunity to benefit from and learn to love the sport as well.
Charlie Kim is a ninth grader at Marriotts Ridge High School, and he’s been learning tennis for about three months. Charlie has had experience working in many volunteer service projects through his middle school’s National Junior Honor Society, and he volunteers at his church’s cold weather clothing drive. Twice, Charlie has served at-risk children in West Virginia through his church’s mission trip program. Charlie has extensive experience working with neurodivergent children, since his brother has severe autism. Additionally, Charlie enjoys writing and some of his work has even been published. Charlie plays the violin for his school’s orchestra and also enjoys playing the piano, guitar, and ukulele.
Zhaolin (Lyn) Ji is an Honor Roll student at Centennial High School with a deep passion for the intersection of biology and social impact. Dedicated to serving neurodivergent populations, she brings extensive hands-on experience volunteering with CAPA SEEDS and serving as President of the Illiterates Club, where she has led community events and fundraisers to support autistic youth. In addition to her community outreach, Lyn is a skilled leader and educator, serving as the Recruitment Team lead and Biology Club President for the Bloom Education Fund, where she provides academic tutoring to underserved students. She brings this profound dedication to healthcare, inclusive advocacy, and community leadership to the Tennis Atypical team to drive its shared community goals.
Ethan Massay is a rising eighth grader who values tennis for building discipline, focus, and continuous personal growth. On the court, he thrives on technical development, strategic match play, and collaborative team dynamics. A dedicated junior mentor, Ethan takes pride in guiding younger children through the foundations of the sport, emphasizing encouragement and youth leadership. Outside of tennis, he is actively engaged in debate, classical piano, and community service, bringing a positive attitude and strong work ethic to the Tennis Atypical team.
Nadia Kerechanin is a rising senior at Oakland Mills High School and the captain of the varsity tennis team. With seven years of tennis experience, she actively competes in the Baltimore Tennis Patrons’ red league and pursues continuous athletic development through independent training. Beyond the court, Nadia’s academic interests span the fields of medicine, engineering, and sustainability, and she enjoys exploring art and gaming in her free time. She is deeply committed to leveraging her athletic background and diverse passions to positively impact her local community through dedicated volunteer service.
Gabriella Kerechanin is a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Maryland and a member of the university’s club tennis team. An avid player for eight years, she values the court as a space for athletic competition, personal well-being, and outdoor engagement. Driven by a passion for sustainability, Gabriella aims to channel her engineering background into technical initiatives that protect and better the environment. She brings this high energy, technical focus, and dedication to the Tennis Atypical team to drive its shared community goals.
Lucy Qian is a student at Harvard College studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track, an award-winning classical ballerina of 14 years, and the Publicity Chair for the Harvard Ballet Company. As a volunteer for Tennis Atypical, Lucy blends her backgrounds in neuroscience and movement to lead specialized balance and coordination training for athletes. Her instruction focuses on improving injury prevention, building athletic muscle memory, and optimizing sensory-motor communication. By integrating elite movement principles with neuro-inclusive sports pedagogy, Lucy helps participants build essential skills in emotional regulation, sensory processing, and confidence both on and off the court.
Dylan Zhong is a rising ninth grader at Marriotts Ridge High School and a dedicated athlete who has played tennis since age six, currently competing in the Baltimore Tennis Patrons Red League. With hands-on experience as a junior counselor at the Howard County Conservancy, Dylan excels at working with children and fostering positive environments. In addition to his athletic and volunteer pursuits, he plays trumpet for his school’s jazz and concert bands and enjoys connecting with friends through video games.
George Wei is a dedicated fourth-grade student at Lisbon Elementary School who brings his passion for sports and community to our team. An avid athlete, he trains rigorously at a local tennis academy and actively competes in USTA junior tournaments. Beyond his commitments on the court and in the classroom, George is deeply invested in giving back to his community. In 2025, he founded the CAPA HC Youth Tennis Club. Recently, he launched the “Titan Training Club”—a weekly virtual fitness initiative hosted through the Rising Leader Youth Department of the Chinese Alumni Association of Greater Washington (CAAGW). We are incredibly proud to have George’s energy, hard work, and inspiring spirit as part of our volunteer family!
