Senior Statement: Jonah Farran

When I think about Jonah’s career with Bethany Christian tennis, I am impressed by Jonah’s tenacious desire to compete - to make the very best out of the skills that he has. Jonah didn’t start his tennis career as a surefire star, or even a lock to make the varsity. In fact, in his second year on the tennis team, Jonah only won 1 match - and that was in a tiebreak.

But over the summer before his junior year, I noticed that Jonah was getting a lot better at his groundstrokes, specifically his forehand. His serve also became more consistent, though he couldn’t seem to get the flowing and extended motion of our bigger servers. When his junior season began, he was slotted at #2DJV. But in that match he displayed such energy, such passion, such tenacity. He was all over the place chasing down balls and getting excited as he hit them back in. When he won in a tiebreak, I told him that I was thinking of him for a varsity position, because we needed that tenacity and effort.

The next night, he stepped into varsity with Nathan, playing at #2D match at Northridge that was exhilarating. He and Nathan won in the third set, keeping calm while dealing with a lot of nerves. Here Jonah had gone from 1 JV victory the year before to 1 varsity victory in his first varsity match.

One other thing I love about Jonah is the balance in his personality and his perspective. He seems to look at each situation with a pretty clear view. He knows what he wants to do, knows his own limitations, and finds a way to attack each problem with his strengths. It is obvious in a tennis match as he avoids backhand volleys and lobs on almost all backhand shots, but plays to his forehand as much as he can. But I think it is also true as he contemplates problems in school, and the large problems that face the world. He has great perspective, and that perspective makes him a person of peace.

I have appreciated his effort as well. As he flies around the court in practice and in matches trying to run down every ball. He’s a hard worker trying to tone up the parts of his game that cause problems. I have loved all his different contributions to this tennis team.

I am grateful for Jonah, the person that he is and his example for this team.

2 Corinthians 4:1 (The Message)
Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes.