The spirit of Team Serra prevailed over the boom and doom of approaching thunderstorms as hundreds of students, family members and friends celebrated the third annual Serra BJJ BBQ this past Sunday at Eisenhower Park. A great time was had by all, and all were reminded of how fortunate we are to be part of such a great group of people. Many thanks to everyone who showed up, hung out and kept Serra BJJ tradition alive and wet well.
Special thanks to:
Everyone who contributed in any way to making the BBQ such a huge hit; for setting up and cleaning up, for bringing ices for the kids and drinks for the adults, for the home-cooked meals, meats and sweet treats, the music, the games and the good energy!
Dan the Pool Guy for helping to organize (and bring!) the party, for loading and unloading the supplies, for setting up and cleaning up and for making that very important ice run with…
Teddy Sheron for once again volunteering his time and truck, and for filling it beyond measure with coolers, ice and everything else on the field that day. Talk about a reliable, stand-up guy.
Joe Lacrosse and Jason Rau for arriving early to help set up, and displaying mad skills with a staple gun.
Billy Tats for agreeing to man the BBQ for the third year in a row. This guy needs to be canonized. (Matt Borst, thank you too. You’re well on your way to sainthood.)
Mike Horun for planning all the kids’ activities, running the games, and being one of the friendliest dudes ever. That goes for you too, Joe Sagarese.
Polar Bear for manually blowing up the kiddy pool. That’s a lot of air.
Nick Locicero for bringing wraps from his store, California Pizza Kitchen in Westbury (now go visit him and buy stuff!).
Steve and Maggie Elizarde for their bomb wings.
Maria Jose Fuschetto for those empanadas!
Our own professional in-house baker, Mr. Christopher Freda, for three trays of amazing homemade cookies.
DJ Jimmy G for taking the long drive to Long Island to spread good music and great vibes.
Every single kid who got down and dirty (including Joey Beans) in what was the largest Serra BJJ watermelon eating contest to date.
The giant crew of Serra and Di Fiore mothers, fathers, sisters, cousins, brothers and girlfriends who broke down and cleaned up the entire area, in the rain, in a blink of the eye.
Vita Coco, for supporting the school and supplying us with their coconut water.
Danny Valle and Joanne Kountourakis would thank themselves for the hours of preparation, shopping and organizing it took to get the BBQ going, but they’re writing this and that would just be weird.
All of our loyal students: you are the reason this BBQ happens…
And of course to Matt & Nick Serra, for making it all possible (and for splurging on those giant tents last minute. Phew!).