UPPER LAKE ? Taryn Re, 16, would like to see her dreams come true. The Upper Lake High School junior dreams of playing basketball in college and participation in an invitation-only, international basketball tournament could be the catalyst in her journey.
Re has been invited to participate in a summer training academy and international tournament program sponsored by 365 Sports. The experience will take her to North Carolina and then on to Italy where she will compete against athletes from around the world.
“We”ll be going to different parts of Italy. We”ll be competing in Rome in an Olympic-style basketball tournament. I will be representing my school, my county and the American youth among athletes from around the world,” Re said. “We”ll also be going to Sienna and Florence where we”ll get to visit the Coliseum and the Vatican. This isn”t just about basketball. It”s also about my education. I”m going to be learning the history of Italy and experiencing its culture.”
Re is trying to raise $5,000 to cover expenses associated with the experience and is turning to the community for help and sponsorship. She said she is even open to employment opportunities that will help her earn the money she needs for this once in a lifetime experience.
The first stop for Re will be North Carolina where she will endure an intense training schedule. “This will give me an opportunity to learn from professional coaches straight from the National Basketball Association (NBA),” Re said. “I”m really looking forward to that because I think it will improve my skills and boost my confidence on and off the court.”
In Italy, Re will compete in a sanctioned tournament among athletes from countries around the world. “There will be scouts at these tournament events looking for talent,” she said. “Participating in this program will open up possibilities of a scholarship in my future.”
Also in Italy, Re will be touring locations such as the Vatican, the Roman Coliseum and Duomo Cathedral. She will also experience city tours in Foligno, Florence and Rome, which her mother thinks will be beneficial to her social skills.
“I think that if she experiences other lifestyles and cultures she will be more open-minded to all different walks of life,” Helen Re said. “This opportunity to travel to another country and see history will spark her knowledge and increase her interest to further her education.”
Re has held an interest in playing basketball since she was in fifth grade when she played on her middle school team. She said that she didn”t make the team the next year but she continued to practice and made the team in seventh grade. Her strong will and perseverance paid off in eighth grade when she was voted MVP in a tournament in Crescent City.
“I enjoy playing basketball because it keeps me in shape and it”s exciting. You never know what”s going to happen,” Re said. “It”s a fast-paced game that always keeps you moving so you have to stay focused and it”s really rewarding when you play as a team and you work together for victory.”
Re is looking for any help she can get and welcomes any fundraising ideas the public may have. To contribute to this rare and educational opportunity, send donations to Italy Trip c/o Taryn Re, PO Box 164, Glenhaven, CA 95443. For more information or to share fundraising ideas and/or employment opportunities, call Helen Re at 349-3556.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
