CREST Youth Programs Help Kids Find Their Passion
January 23, 2020 1:00 PM
by Diane Cancino
When 13-year-old Emma Markolf started Kindergarten at Roosevelt Elementary School, she liked everything. Her parents, Kathryn and Derek, enrolled her in a variety of CREST after school classes, and eventually Volleyball. They had no idea that eight years later, Emma would earn an adult AA rating in the California Beach Volleyball Association.
Emma’s CREST Journey and Beyond – Hitting New Heights
Through the City of Santa Monica’s CREST Enrichment program Emma experimented with art, drama and tennis classes, then she branched out to try CREST Basketball in 3rd grade. Enjoying two practices a week and a game against another Santa Monica elementary school on Saturdays, Emma learned the fundamentals of the game, sportsmanship and benefited from the comradery of this recreational league.
Her coach, Moshir Safavi, recognized that Emma had the potential to excel in Volleyball. He encouraged her to sign up for CREST’s co-ed Volleyball league for the Spring season.
Getting up early to register at 6 a.m., Kathryn secured a spot for Emma on the team. She quickly mastered the basics of volleyball and tried different positions through CREST’s standard 4-2 setter rotation, which gives children the opportunity to play several positions during a match.
“We as a family had no volleyball experience,” Derek Markolf admits. “We may not have ever tried the sport if it weren’t for Coach Moshir’s recommendation.”
After two years of participating in both Fall and Spring volleyball, Emma was hooked. In 6th grade, Emma was selected for a local competitive beach volleyball league. This summer Emma will compete in up to four tournaments a week, including the prestigious 2020 Cal Cup Premier Tour and Junior Nationals.
Giving Back to the Community
In between homework, practice and competitions, Emma makes time to volunteer with the CREST Volleyball program at Roosevelt as part of her community service requirement for Middle School. Emma admits that she was confounded at first – realizing how much she has changed since elementary school, but she relishes in the opportunity to be with her first coach to run young players through warm-ups, assist with essential drills and provide inspiration to future champions.
If you are wondering which activities your child might excel in, try a CREST class this Spring. Registration opens on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 6 a.m. online or at 8:30 a.m. at the Youth Office at Reed Park (1133 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA).
CREST Youth Sports offers school-based soccer for grades TK-8, volleyball for 3-8 and track club for 2-8. Visit the CREST website for more information and to view Enrichment class offerings at each elementary school or email crest@smgov.net.
Authored By
Diane Cancino
Community Services Program Specialist