Cornell Junior Jesse Pacheco First-Ever College All-American From Urban Program
by Terence Li
April 2, 2013 - Ten years ago, a sixth grade girl from the Bronx with round cheeks, wire-rimmed glasses and a radiant smile walked onto the Fordham squash courts and seemingly danced her way through her first CitySquash tryout, swinging the racket naturally and hitting the ball with ease.
Jesse Pacheco is now a junior at Cornell University, and this past Friday she became the first player from an urban squash program to earn All-American honors.
Jesse has been distinguishing herself for years. From the time she joined CitySquash, she has exhibited a hunger to be the best squash player and student she could be. She attended extra practices, challenged her older teammates to matches, and always pushed herself. She studied hard, asked for extra help from her tutors and teachers, and earned excellent grades.
Her persistence and hard work led her to win five consecutive Urban Individual National titles and earn a full scholarship to the St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island. At St. George's, Jesse captained the varsity squash team her junior and senior years and became the first CitySquasher to win a New England Interscholastic title.
Jesse in 6th Grade
In her three years at Cornell, Jesse has been a standout on the team. Playing at the #2 position this season, she posted a 12-4 record, notching wins over two top-ten players and helping her team finish 6th in the nation. Jesse has also been working hard off the court. A few days after the squash season ended, she received an offer to be an analyst in the Sales and Trading Division at Goldman Sachs, where she will work this summer.
The little girl with a big grin and glasses has come a long way, but through it all she has remained herself - modest, friendly, generous, and grounded. When asked to speak at CitySquash's annual benefit last year, she spoke not of her achievements, but about the gratitude she felt when her younger teammates cheered her on after a tough loss. When she is home in the Bronx, Jesse always takes time to volunteer for CitySquash, tutoring students in our Learning Center or coaching them on the squash courts at Fordham.
Jesse is also proud of her roots and loyal to those who have helped her along the way. Upon being congratulated by one of her coaches for the win that secured her spot as a 2nd Team All-American, Jesse texted back: "I'm wearing a CitySquash shirt right now actually."
With gratitude for your help in making stories like Jesse's possible,
Terence Li
Program Director
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