by Isabella Landaverde ‘27

Over this spring break, 31 students from seven different MCPS high schools will head to China for an opportunity to build international friendships through pickleball. Organized by MCPS Athletics, the trip aims to promote cultural exchange and unity through sports. Students from high schools including Sherwood, Clarksburg, Winston Churchill, Damascus, Poolesville, Richard Montgomery, and Wootton will travel to Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. Sophomore Haley Corkery, junior Ryan Prudenti, and senior Ryan Corkery will represent Sherwood on the trip.

To prepare for this trip, students have practiced on a pickleball court every Monday and each Thursday attend cultural sessions to learn basic Chinese and customs for being respectful during their visit. “I am really looking forward to the friendships I will build, across borders, through this trip,” said Haley Corkery. “I have never been to China and I look forward to experiencing the country and its culture.”

This group is made up of students with a range of pickleball experiences, from competitive players to those who’ve only recently picked up a paddle. Weekly practices at Dill Dinkers Pickleball Club have helped students sharpen their skills and build teamwork ahead of the trip. Alongside athletic training, the cultural preparation ensures students are ready to engage respectfully and meaningfully with others, which will make this trip much more than just sports.