By Theresa O’Connor

   “Knights on 3 … 1, 2, 3 … KNIGHTS!”

   Not only is this chant something you’ll hear at almost every  game you attend, but these words embody comradery, leadership and spirit for our TPA athletes. 

   By organizing football, volleyball and basketball leadership summer camps for students in grades 6 through 12, TPA’s new athletic director, Mr. Keyon Cornejo, and renowned basketball and track and field coach and assistant football coach, Mr. David Lane sought to foster this same excitement and team unity that this chant captures.

   The leadership camps took place from July 25 – 28 in TPA’s Fine Arts and Science building. Initially, Board of Directors member and TPA parent Mr. Chad Sampson proposed an idea for the sport summer camps and Mrs. Emily Mause, the school’s Development Director, obtained funding through AZ On Track Summer Camp Grant. 

   Each day began with life-skills and leadership-enhancement discussions led by Mr. Cornejo and Coach Lane with the athletes in a classroom setting. Mr. Cornejo notes that he was able to build connections with several TPA students and become well-acquainted with the TPA administration, faculty and athletic departments. Students then participated in weight-lift training, and afterwards headed to the TPA gymnasium for sport-specific practice. 

   Junior Dayanara Gamez says, “Since the volleyball leadership camp was a new player-focused experience, I had the amazing opportunity to step up my leadership game that has led me to be a better captain this season.” 

   With the hope of preparing students to be successful in academics, leadership and athletics at the start of the school year, Mr. Cornejo says he and Coach Lane “designed [the] sports leadership camps to give students the skills to successfully manage their coursework while participating in worthwhile activities outside of school hours.” Trying to find a healthy balance between TPA’s rigorous curriculum and students’ participation in multiple extracurriculars, the two set up students for success before the school year and Fall sports season. 

   While many of his memories are from driving students to either the TPA gymnasium or field, Mr. Cornejo says, “With being a proud new member of the Knight family, the opportunity to motivate, inspire and get to know those that attended are moments that I’ll cherish for life. “