Giving Kids the Advantage

Meet Our Awesome Tennis Instructors

Summer Programming 2025 is in full swing! We’re four weeks into our tennis program, and the courts are buzzing with energy. So far, the weather has been kind—hot days and minimal rain.

The instructors participated in training on the tennis courts to enhance their skills, as well as engaging in classroom instruction in preparation for off-court discussions. They were honored to meet with members of the 15-LOVE Board of Directors. The conversation was beneficial for the instructors, who left feeling motivated and empowered, with a renewed sense of purpose in their role.

We’re beyond proud of their teamwork and the joy they bring to every participant. Scroll down to meet our instructors.

Follow along with us on Instagram and Facebook for more updates about Summer 2025!

Lila Boukarim

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Tennis Instructor and Education Program Instructor

Where do you attend school? I just graduated from Binghamton University and will be attending UAlbany starting in the fall to pursue a master's degree in School Psychology!

At what site(s) do you teach? Prospect Park and the 15-LOVE Office.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? 9 years, 7 years as an instructor.

Who is your role model? Malala Yousafzai and my Mom.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint Cookie Crumble!

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? I really love seeing the kids return year after year. I feel lucky to be able to watch them grow and develop into amazing people and tennis players. Seeing their enthusiasm about the program makes me feel really special!

Damien Ceniza

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Coach

Where do you attend school? I am a Junior at Hudson Valley Community College

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at Lincoln Park, Arbor Hill Park and Washington Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been in the program for 16 years and have work as instructor for the last 6-7 years.

Who is your role model? My role model is Rafael Duarte. He is a high school friend who has clear goals in life and many hobbies.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Ube Flavor

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? I really love the healthy recipe and living tips that are given to the kids in the program.

Theodore Ceniza

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Instructor

Where do you attend school? I am a Senior at Albany High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at Hoffman Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been a participant in the program for 9 years and an instructor for the last 3 years.

Who is your role model? Aryna Sablanka and my parents.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15- LOVE? STEM

Stanley Cornell

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Coach

Where do you attend school? I am going into my Senior year at Albany High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at Lincoln Park and Hoffman Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been a participant in the program for 14 years and an instructor for the last 3 years.

Who is your role model? Coach Clinton

Favorite ice cream flavor? Banana

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15- LOVE? Car rides to practices with coaches and friends.

JJ Dalzell

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Coach

Where do you attend school? I am in my second year at Siena College.

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at Washington Park and Lincoln Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been a participant in the program for 12 years and an instructor for the last 3 years.

Who is your role model? Clinton Mathai

Favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15- LOVE? The college preparation aspect.

Vanessa Dalzell

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Instructor

Where do you attend school? I’ll be a Junior at Catholic Central.

At what site(s) do you teach? Albany sites

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? 10 years

Who is your role model? My mom.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie Dough

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? I like gardening.

Matthew Depoo

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Coach

Where do you attend school? I am in my second year at SUNY Schenectady Community College.

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at Washington Park and Prospect Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? This is my first year as an instructor.

Who is your role model? Jesus

Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15- LOVE? Learning how to coach.

Juan Camilo Díaz

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Coach

Where do you attend school? I am a Senior at Guilderland High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? At a variety of different sites in the region.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? This will be my second year.

Who is your role model? Domingo Montes

Favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie Dough

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? The games of plastic coins.

Steven Gomez

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Tennis Instructor

Where do you attend school? I am a Senior at Bethlehem Central High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? I’ll be teaching at sites Washington Park and Lincoln Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been a participant and instructor with 15-LOVE for 1 year.

Who is your role model? My brother

Favorite ice cream flavor? Stewart’s Peanut Butter Pandemonium

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? Being able to eat with other staff members at staff meetings and really connect in various ways.

Jenifer Lalman

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Tennis Instructor

Where do you attend school? I am entering my freshman year at Manhattanville University.

At what site(s) do you teach? I’ll be teaching at sites in Schenectady.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been a participant with 15-LOVE for 12 years and 3 years as an instructor.

Who is your role model? My dad

Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? The friendships I’ve made and kind people I’ve met.

Matthew Marino

What is your role at 15-LOVE? I am an instructor.

Where do you attend school? I am a Junior at

Guilderland High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at ASH and Riverfront Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been involved with 15-LOVE my entire life and started working as instructor 2 years ago.

Who is your role model? My dad.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? Working with kids and trying to make an impact.

Rithvik Jagarlamudi

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Tennis Instructor

Where do you attend school? I am a Junior at Shaker High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? I’ll be teaching at Prospect Park.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have been a participant with 15-LOVE for 2.5 years.

Who is your role model? My dad.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie Dough

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? The friendships I’ve made and kind people I’ve met.

Benjamin Marino

What is your role at 15-LOVE? I am an instructor.

Where do you attend school? I’ll be a Freshman at Union College.

At what site(s) do you teach? I’ll be teaching at Riverfront and some camps.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? I have worked the last 3 summers, but I’ve been around 15-LOVE for most of my life because of my mom.

Who is your role model? I look up to My parents and grandpa.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15-LOVE? Pizza at the staff meetings! But a close second is the off court games we can play against the kids.

Mannat Mishra

What is your role at 15-LOVE? Coach

Where do you attend school? I am a Sophomore at Guilderland High School.

At what site(s) do you teach? I am teaching at Guilderland High School.

How long have you worked/been with 15-LOVE? This is my first year with 15-LOVE.

Who is your role model? Aryna Sablanka and my parents.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Fireworks or Vanilla

What is your favorite off-court or other non-tennis part of 15- LOVE? Having connections between the people that work there, the kids and getting work experience.