HighFIVE: Natalia & Daniel Smith

The following HighFIVE profile appears in the 2017 Fall/Winter issue of Colorado Tennis newspaper.

In our pressure-filled world where heavily burdened schedules can sometimes cause families to barely check in with one another, it’s a pleasure to get to know the Smith family. Including parents Charles and Magdalena, and children, 15-year-old Natalia and 12-year-old Daniel, this family is committed to making the world a better place.

Not only are these young people balancing academics and athletics, but they are articulate, proud of their family and individually dedicated to volunteering.

Natalia and Daniel have volunteered at the 2016 and 2017 Cinco de Mayo in which they participated in all of the tennis events, the 10th Anniversary of Diversity TennisFest at MSU Regency Sports Complex and down in Colorado Springs for the Rio Olympic Downtown Celebration. They were chosen as ball kids for Indian Wells, a reflection of their dependable and responsible demeanor. In addition, they volunteered at the 2016 and 2017 Colorado State Open as ball kids and work with the “Rookie Tennis” program at the Ken Caryl Ranch Tennis Center.

“We are very proud of Natalia and Daniel for their achievements on the court as well as their actions off the court. It is their passion and awareness for giving back that makes us overjoyed”, Magdalena said. She explained that neither she nor Charles played as kids themselves, “but as our kids started playing more tennis competitively, we got into it as well and our kids became our little coaches. Playing as a family is very special to us!”

A sophomore at Chatfield High School, Natalia picked up a racquet at 4, and played No. 2 singles last year. She hopes to play collegiate tennis if there’s a match with academics and if not, she will play club tennis. Her favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird and her favorite subject is AP Social Studies. She reflects on being a ball girl as a growing experience.

“My time at Indian Wells was an amazing,” she said. When asked if any athletes stood out to her she said that, “Azarenka took the time to come talk to us ball kids,” said she, illustrating to her the impact that could be made taking the time to acknowledge and relate to those around you. She also said that being a ball girl was her first volunteering experience. “It’s fun to be involved and especially to do it with family,” she said.

In the 7th grade at Falcon Bluffs, Daniel is on Team Colorado and hopes to play high school tennis and win state. What he loves about tennis is the opportunity to “move and think,” understanding that tennis is both a physical and mental sport. Beyond high school, Daniel hopes to play collegiate tennis if the opportunity to study engineering allows both opportunities. For now he’s focused on “becoming one of the top 14s and playing and learning more.”

Describing being a ball boy as a mixed bag of emotions including excitement and nervousness, Daniel’s favorite athlete at Indians Wells was up and comer Kayla Day, who won the both the Junior US Open and USTA Girl’s National Championship in 2016. When asked what it means to volunteer he didn’t hesitate.

“I learned that when I help make someone else better at something, that it makes me better as a person, as well.”

MidFirst Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks and this combination of size and private ownership provides our customers with a special brand of banking. We are a strong supporter of the communities we serve, investing time and money in important educational, charitable and civic organizations. Our volunteerism is powered by our employees from all of the communities in which we live and share with our customers. MidFirst Bank is a proud partner of USTA Colorado.