In high-performance sports like tennis, we often chase complex solutions. Yet neuroscience shows one of the simplest, free tools is incredibly effective: the smile.

As many tennis players know, the remains of a once-mighty tree had become a hazard on the Frank Black Middle School (FBMS) Racquet Court #2.

Principal De Castro kicked off the evening with a moving story from his own basketball days, reminding everyone that the real victories happen in the lessons we carry off the court. With that spirit, the spotlight turned to our brand-new tennis program and its first-ever awards celebration.

As the end-of-year USTA tournaments wrap up, several middle and high school tennis players are warming up their singles game on Sunday morning. Starting at 7:30 am at Waltrip High School, 1900 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018, these players are competing in a round-robin clinic, with coach Will interjecting a few skill drills.As one parent stated today,  it's great to see the local community come together, enabling the players to work on new singles tactics in a supportive environment. They have the opportunity to try out advanced tactics, such as serve-and-volley against friends, with coaches on the sideline offering up their insights.

As the cold weather arrived, the Oak Forest tennis community made a change in location for the Saturday 7:30 a.m. doubles round robin. Over the past few weeks, students and parents have been playing doubles on the two courts at Waltrip High School, 1900 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018. We can now accommodate 8 players on the court, with the winners advancing to court #1 for the highest level of competition. With the additional warm-up court and backboard, on-deck teams can thoroughly prepare for their king-of-the-court aspirations. No registration or fee is required to join the fun each Saturday morning.

As December 2025 kicked off, visitors to the FBMS Racquet Center were greeted by the vibrant sight of a newly established entrance garden. This stunning addition, inspired by Agustina Rastelli Wojecki and her family, features a tapestry of colorful flowers that welcome guests into the heart of the facility.