Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 60
Value of Time Served: $507
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Badminton
School: Plainview-Old Bethpage/Jfk High School
Date: March 25, 2024
Location:
Plainview Old Bethpage John F Kennedy High School
Kennedy Drive, Plainview
NY
About:
Following the conclusion of the fall 2022 boys badminton season, Kangxi approached Coach Jenna Cavuto for a discussion. He wished to share his reflections on his journey with the sport and the team, spanning from his freshman to junior years. His key insight was the pivotal role of introducing badminton to the community at a younger age for the team’s future success, noting the absence of youth leagues for badminton compared to other sports commonly found across Long Island.
Recognizing the need to create opportunities where none exist, Kangxi expressed interest in spearheading a program to fill this gap, recognizing its potential long-term benefits for both the team and the community. Subsequently, he took proactive steps by drafting a formal proposal and securing support from the Athletic Department and Superintendent following an in-person meeting with the Athletic Director. The unwavering backing of the district has been invaluable to our program’s growth and success.
In the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, POB offered multiple sessions, gradually expanding the program to accommodate more participants. Despite knowing that the immediate impact on the high school team wouldn’t be felt, Kangxi’s dedication to his community underscores his remarkable character and selflessness.
The program’s origins trace back to the advocacy efforts of high school students. Initiated during the 2017-2018 school year by Josh Martin, a POB high school student, the team’s formation stemmed from his passion for the sport and the collective interest of like-minded peers. While Kangxi and Josh didn’t compete together, Kangxi’s involvement in the team was influenced by Josh’s legacy, which continues to shape our program.
The overwhelming community response to the program, with registrations filling up within minutes and a growing interest from parents, underscores the demand for badminton opportunities. As a result, efforts are underway to integrate badminton into Plainview PAL’s offerings, reflecting the grassroots advocacy and collaborative spirit driving our program’s expansion.
“He is a selfless young man who deeply cares about his community. ” -Coach Jenna Cavuto
“As a student-athlete who has trained for nearly a decade, my achievements come from the countless hours I’ve devoted to this sport. In recognizing this fact, I realized that badminton, like all other sports, needs to kindle interest from a young age to increase the performance level at an older age. This sparked a desire for me to initiate a program that promotes badminton in our community.
At first, I had a great fear that our district would have limited interest in badminton. Fortunately, the enthusiastic parents erased some of the doubt. But what truly proved me wrong was that the children who participated in this program genuinely enjoyed the sport and were willing to participate in training lessons outside of the youth program.
I clearly remember that I saw a couple of the children present at the POB Youth Badminton Program participate in my badminton club’s group training. As I went over to say hi to them, they immediately recognized me but were too shy to say hi back. Greeting me with only a shy smile and wave. At that moment, I felt immense pride in my work because this was exactly what I’ve set out to do: spark interest in the children of my community.” — Kangxi Li
Notably, the consistent participation of 60 individuals both last year and this year serves as a testament to the program’s ongoing success and popularity.