President's Corner

Parents, Volunteers, Donors, and Youth Players,

As SiVY Bridge begins its sixth year, it’s an apt time to reflect on our accomplishments thus far. The focus of the after school programs, summer camps, and pizza parties is primarily to introduce new players to the game. In total we estimate that SiVY has introduced bridge to nearly 1000 youth players through these programs!

Our 33 elementary and middle school programs have introduced bridge to over 700 young people in total. 60 of the more than 170 total attendees at our five summer camps have also been new to the game. The more than 50 monthly pizza parties have been a way for players to meet SiVY youth from other schools and we estimate it has been the bridge beginnings for over 200 youth.

As their experience level grows, SiVY youth have the opportunity to receive mentoring and continue to grow their skills at Casual Fridays, High School Clubs, and as sponsored attendees of the Youth North American Bridge Championships (YNABC). Many have also participated in the US Bridge Federation (USBF) Junior US Championships and in 2018 there will be fourteen SiVY players representing the US at the World Youth Championships. So far, a total of five players with their beginnings as SiVY Youth have achieved the rank of Life Master.

None of this would be possible without our dedicated teachers, table helpers, board members, marketers, organizers, webmaster, food preparers, etc. – all of whom are volunteers. A rough, but conservative, estimate is that to date over 14,000 volunteer hours have been donated to inspiring our next generation of bridge enthusiasts! So thank you to each and every one of our volunteers for making Silicon Valley Youth (SiVY) Bridge a success.