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Yash Bhargava
High School Squash Director: West Philadelphia Yash joined our team in August 2023 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in Economics and a master's degree in Nonprofit Management. Yash grew up in India, where he had the opportunity to work with Reacha, a nonprofit focused on identifying local communities' socio-economic needs across India and delivering sustainable, grass-roots solutions. Before SquashSmarts, he worked as a squash professional at a club, coaching top-level juniors. During his time at U. Penn, Yash was a two-time captain of the Varsity Men's Squash Team, an All-American award recipient, and established the program record for most wins in a college career. As Director of Squash and Fitness for West Philly High School, he combines his diverse perspective and passion for squash to create a lasting impact on the kids.
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Quinetta Bowden '09
Senior Program Director: North & West Philadelphia Quinetta joined our team in July 2016 after completing an intensive two-year training program with City Year-Philadelphia. A seven-year graduate of SquashSmarts Middle and High School Program, she is an alumna of Philadelphia High School for Girls and Pennsylvania State University where she was a member of the English Honor Society. Quinetta has participated in a range of leadership programs, including The Pew Charitable Trusts' Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative and Investing-in-Future-Leaders programs to the the Nelson Foundation's Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute to the Squash + Education Alliance's Leadership Fellows Program. Her understanding of the culture and traditions of SquashSmarts -- and the challenges and opportunities presented by its neighborhoods and schools -- in addition to her focus on data, outcomes and staff development serve her well as she leads our staff to build intentional, high-quality, year-round mentoring programs for our students.
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Tempest Bowden '09
Middle School Squash Director: West Philadelphia Tempest joined our team in August 2015. A seven-year graduate of SquashSmarts Middle and High School Programs, Tempest is the author of Awaken The Warrior, a compilation of positive daily affirmations for teens. After graduating from Philadelphia's Simon Gratz High School, Wolfeboro Summer Boarding School and Mercersburg Academy, Tempest completed intensive training courses through City Year Philadelphia and Up2UsCoachAcross America before putting her coaching talents to use as our Director of Squash & Fitness. A passionate, respected athlete and leader, she inspires our students to be their best on and off the court each day. A four-time Squash + Education Alliance national individual champion and the first African American female to be ranked in to the top-32 of the country, Tempest was named Philadelphia Youth Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Coaches Conference and was also named National Coach of the Year by Up2Us Sports.
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