Teen fencers raise $3,000 for the Children’s National Health System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2019
Maryland teen fencers raise $3,000 for the Children’s National Health System
WASHINGTON – This week, two teen fencers from DC Fencers Club (DCFC) presented a check for $3,000 to the Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C.
Yunice Pyo, 17, of Potomac, Md., and Justin Haddad, 17, from Bethesda, Md, raised the funds by organizing a youth fencing tournament last May. The “Fight It With Fencing” tournament featured Youth 10, 12, and 14 events in both epee and sabre.
On Tuesday, August 27, they presented the check at the Children’s Hospital National Branch in Silver Spring, Maryland. The donation will go towards the Fund for Every Child, which ensures that every child receives exceptional care, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Development Coordinator Charlotte Cohen received the check on behalf of the Children’s National Health System. Also in attendance were DCFC Head Coach Janusz Smolenski and Assistant Coach David Ruskin.
This charitable effort is the latest of many achievements for Pyo and Haddad. Both are highly ranked fencers in Junior (Under 20) Men’s and Women’s Epee, and both were named to the 2018-19 USA Fencing/Absolute All-Academic Team for their superior academic performance.
Pyo, a senior at Winston Churchill High School, got the idea for the fundraiser as a participant in “Fences with Wolves,” an earlier youth tournament at the club that supported the Wolf Project of the Yellowstone Park Foundation. “I love working with young kids so I thought it would be a great opportunity to create a youth fencing tournament where kids help other kids in need. The Children’s Hospital is such a strong foundation throughout the U.S. so I knew it would be a great place to support.”
She remarked on the complexity of running a fencing competition. “I was surprised by how much goes into organizing a tournament, from ordering the medals, to advertising to all the clubs, to speaking with the hospital representatives. But with the support of all of the coaches, we slowly learned to connect all of the different pieces that go into creating a smooth event.”
Haddad, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md., is eager to see the tournament continue. “We are planning to run it again this spring,” he noted. “We hope to get two younger members of DCFC involved and create a tradition of doing a fundraiser for National every year at our club. That would be a tremendous legacy for both Yunice and me. We have made around $6,500 in two years, we hope to break $10,000 by next year.”
The Fight It with Fencing event is one of several fencing competitions hosted by Friends of DCFC, a nonprofit which supports aspiring competitive fencers on the national and international circuit.
About Children’s National Health System
Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has served the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is one of the nation’s Top 5 pediatric hospitals. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C. metropolitan area, including the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia.
About DC Fencers Club
DC Fencers Club (DCFC) welcomes both competitive and recreational fencers. For 29 years, DCFC has consistently produced national and international champions. DCFC offers classes, camps, workshops, and individual lessons. Our coaches have extensive training, competition, and teaching experience, and they include credentialed fencing masters and National Champions. Our dedicated fencing facility is located in Silver Spring, minutes from the Beltway. DC Fencers Club promotes excellence, sportsmanship, and safety in a friendly environment. Register online for classes at www.dcfencing.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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