Borough Wide
Two Kings County fencers scored big at a national tournament held in Missouri last weekend, including one freshman at a Windsor Terrace charter school who defeated grown men six years his senior, his coach said.
“Skyler is only 14 and was having a blast fencing some of the best 17–20 year olds in the country, so when he beat them, he was ecstatic,” said New York Fencing Academy coach Misha Mokretsov, boasting of champ Skyler Liverant.
Liverant, who started school at Brooklyn Prospect Charter High School earlier this year, earned fifth place in the Juniors category usually reserved for competitors four years his senior, and is now ranked number two nationally, putting him in the running for a national fencing squad to represent the United States at the 2019 Jr. Olympics, according to his coach.
Midwood High School sophomore Jaclyn Khrol (inset with coach Mokretsov) also gave a stellar performance, earning bronze in Juniors just a week before the 15-year-old is expected to represent Team USA at the Junior World Cup fencing tournament in Puerto Rico.
And Jaclyn’s sister, eighth-grader Caralina Khrol, seems to be following in her sibling’s footsteps, as the youngster took home a bronze medal in the under-14 group. — Colin Mixson
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Snip, snip on fun zone
This playground is fun for the whole family.
Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver joined Councilman Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., community members, and students and administrators from both Bed-Stuy Success Academy and PS 59 to snip the ribbon on the upgraded Sumner Playground in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Officials took input from local residents and nearby schools to design the community space.
“As the elected official for this district and fellow Brooklynite it gives me great joy to witness the revitalization of our local parks and playgrounds,” said Cornegy. “Bed-Stuy families will now be able to enjoy the park’s new amenities in a beautiful setting. Thanks to the Mayor’s Office and NYC Parks for their partnership on this project, which will serve the area for years to come.”
Thanks to the $4.2-million redesign, funded jointly by Cornegy and Mayor DeBlasio, the playground now offers tot and junior swings, spray showers, and state-of-the-art adult-fitness equipment — providing a free, year-round outdoor gym in the community. Workers also updated the ballfield with natural turf and new dugouts and bleachers, and the basketball courts have been completely reconstructed.
Garden seating, landscaping, and brand-new shaded plazas add a fresh look to the playground.
Sumner Playground (Throop Avenue between Park Avenue and Stockton Street).
Borough wide
Save the date
Calling all high school seniors!
Municipal Credit Union is launching its 2019 MCU Scholarship Program, aiming to help hardworking students achieve their dreams for higher education.
The credit union is offering $71,000 in scholarship grants: nine memorial scholarships worth $5,000 each, and 13 grants of $2,000 each.
“Empowering the youth throughout the communities we serve is at the heart of our credit union values,” said MCU Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Louise Cogan-Rupani. “We are very proud of our long-standing scholarship program and the opportunities it provides us in recognizing and rewarding young people for their outstanding academic performance and community service.”
The program is open to MCU members, a child, or a grandchild of a member in good standing.
Applications are due by Jan. 4, 2019, and are available on MCU’s website, www.nymcu.org, and at any branch location. — Courtney Donahue
