New rackets and a Home Depot bucket filled with tennis balls line the tennis court at the Taylorsville Campground. Indian Valley Academy Elementary teacher Cindy Taylor hosts a tennis lesson twice a week for three groups of students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade.
This is the second season of Taylor’s program. After the 2021 Dixie Fire, Taylor reached out to the U.S. Tennis Association who generously donated tennis gear to the students. Taylor played tennis in college and participated in tournaments as an adult. Now, she is sharing her expertise with the next generation and introducing them to the game.
Her last class of the afternoon is a group of third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students. Taylor is able to teach this older group more advanced skills and the basics of the game. Points and out-of-bound balls get confusing, however, because the lines on the tennis courts are faint and confused with the pickleball lines that have been chalked on the court.
Taylor said that the students are enjoying learning and playing so the school plans to continue the lessons. “We’re looking forward to the county finishing the pickleball court and painting the lines on the tennis court so we can utilize the space even more,” said Taylor.
Rachel Goings is the public relations specialist for Plumas Charter School
Ms. Cindy teaches a tennis lesson to the second-grade class. Photo by Rachel Goings