Christina Loukatos Foster the Love Tournament: Signups are now open for the third annual Christina Loukatos Foster the Love Pickleball Tournament, which will take place on September 20-21 at McAdam Park. The fundraiser, hosted by the Antelope Valley Pickleball Club, will support a scholarship endowment for foster youth attending Antelope Valley College.
Honoring Christina Loukatos
The event is held in memory of Christina Loukatos, who passed away on April 9, 2023, at age 35. After leaving foster care at 18, she raised her two younger siblings while pursuing her dream of becoming a school counselor.
Loukatos went on to earn a counseling degree, and her program was named a Model Program in 2020 by the American School Counselor Association. Months before her passing, she completed a second master’s degree in school administration.
“She was a dedicated student advocate and was willing to do everything in her power to support, nurture and advocate for all students in her care,” tournament organizers said.
Tournament Details
The tournament will feature men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and wheelchair singles on September 20. On September 21, events include mixed doubles and wheelchair doubles. More than 150 players are expected to compete, ranging from beginners to advanced players.
Matches will follow the USA Pickleball official rulebook. Registration costs $50 per player or $100 per team, with a reduced fee of $70 for those playing in two divisions.
Voices of Foster Youth
All proceeds will go to the Foster the Love Scholarship Endowment. For 2025, 26 foster youth applied for scholarships, sharing powerful personal stories in their applications.
“I was a troubled foster youth, and I want to make an impact and give back,” one applicant wrote.
“I suffered while in foster care and made poor decisions as a teen and as a young adult,” another said. “I know my purpose is greater than my past, and I want to use my knowledge to help others that I can relate to.”
Another shared: “I was a foster youth and aged out of foster care. I know what being unwanted and unclaimed feels like. I know the horror of homelessness.”
Others wrote about growing up in unstable homes, facing homelessness, and finding strength in education. “My journey isn’t just about earning a degree but about proving to myself that I can overcome obstacles and use my experiences to help others,” one applicant explained.
Lasting Impact
The tournament not only celebrates the life and legacy of Christina Loukatos but also creates new opportunities for foster youth. By funding scholarships, the event offers young people a chance to pursue education, stability, and hope for the future.
News in Brief: Christina Loukatos Foster the Love Tournament
The third annual Christina Loukatos Foster the Love Pickleball Tournament will take place September 20-21 at McAdam Park. Hosted by the Antelope Valley Pickleball Club, the fundraiser supports scholarships for foster youth at Antelope Valley College. The event honors Loukatos, who raised her siblings after foster care and became a school counselor.
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