Top three teams, from left: Avery and Riley Collins, second place; Austin Endter and Matt Ruggles, first place; Rob and Laura Tallman, third place.

by Marsha Chartrand

A year ago, the Manchester pickleball courts were pretty much just plans on a drafting board. Now, they have hosted their first-ever tournament — hopefully the first of many.

Carson Horky, a junior at Manchester Junior/Senior High School, organized the event as a fundraiser for a worthy cause — Mental Health Awareness — and planned to donate 100% of the money raised directly to supporting Manchester students, in partnership with SRSLY Manchester (an active organization with the mission of promoting the health and well-being of Manchester youth in the schools and decreasing the onset and incidence of high-risk behaviors).

Horky stated, “In light of recent tragedies at schools throughout the state of Michigan and the US, as well as May being National Mental Health Month, it seemed like a good time to do this.”

The tournament was held Saturday, May 27, and had 17 teams registered! Thanks to everyone’s support, Horky was able to raise an incredible $1,150 that will not only support some of the events that have happened during May for mental health awareness, but also to help sponsor a special guest speaker to talk to students about mental health issues. “Because the end of the school year is coming soon, the speaker will most likely come in the fall of the coming school year,” he said.

But there’s no “wrong” time to talk about mental health, of course.

The winning team of Austin Endter and Matt Ruggles was awarded bragging rights, a trophy, and a $100 cash prize. The second- and third-place winners also received trophies.

“I’d like to thank everyone that played and helped with the Manchester Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser for Mental Health,” Horky said. “I had a lot of fun organizing and planning it all out, and an even better time getting to meet everyone who participated.”

Special thanks to Double T Foods and Millie’s Coffee house for coming and keeping everyone fed and energized.

The most rewarding part of the event was not just the fundraising, Horky noted. It was the people.

“What I wasn’t expecting, but greatly appreciated, were the stories that were shared with me from players about their experiences with mental health,” he said. “These encounters reassured me that what I’m trying to do is well worth my time and that mental health truly does affect everyone.

“I’m hoping that whoever I have speak to my school can help my peers that are struggling in silence.”