With adrenaline pumping through his veins, a fierce competitor across from him, and a plastic ball flying towards him, senior Benjamin Tinkham is thrilled to be playing his favorite after-school activity, ping pong.
Benjamin is a the proud President of the ping pong club, one of the largest clubs at Carnegie Vanguard High School. However, his journey to president started off as a curious freshman looking for an after-school hobby.
“I had played ping pong a few times before and thought it was pretty fun,” Tinkham said.
When Tinkham attended Carnegie’s annual Club Fair as a freshman unbeknownst to him, his life was about to change. The Ping Pong Club’s stand at the Club Fair, where clubs set up booths to recruit new members, and sparked his interest in the sport. Now, as a senior, he’s club president, organizing meetings, setting up after-school sessions, and keeping the club thriving. His ping pong journey is a story many students at Carnegie can relate to.
When Tinkham attended the first club meeting the fall of his freshman year, he was welcomed by Nick Le, the club’s founder. Le was a big factor in Tinkham’s decision to pursue Ping Pong seriously.
“Nick’s energy and commitment to the club were infectious, and I quickly became hooked,” Tinkham recalls.
During his sophomore year, Tinkham’s growing skill level earned him a spot in the club’s annual tournament at Bellaire High School. Benjamin recalls this as his most memorable time in the club.
“Sophomore year, the first time I played the tournament, it was a ton of fun. And it was so cool meeting all these other people who were involved in the sport and the club… The tournament was not just about competition; it was about community and connection, reinforcing my love for ping pong,” said Tinkham.
In his junior year, Tinkham saw an opportunity to take on a leadership role within Ping Pong club when former club president Sebastian Le didn’t appoint a successor.
“If we wanted the club to continue, someone had to take charge. With my experience and dedication, I thought I would be the perfect fit,” Tinkham said.
And the perfect fit he was, for the club continues to thrive to this day. However, being club president hasn’t come without its difficulties. After the departure of Miguel Inchaurregui, the club’s sponsor, Tinkham was forced to find a new teacher to serve as club sponsor. He reached out to Juan Pena, CVHS Spanish teacher, who accepted the request to be the new sponsor. With the support of Peña, the club has been able to continue its success.
Tinkham’s advice to the future of the Ping Pong Club is clear and considerate:
“For the future leaders of the club, make sure you don’t slack off. Make sure you do meetings every week, make sure you try to get people to come to the club … This is the seventh year the club has been existing so just don’t let the club die, man.”
