By Ember McElrath

Ada High School tennis team volunteer and mom, Jill Danielson started volunteering four years ago when her son joined the junior high tennis team.

Not only does she lend her volunteer skills to tennis but she also helps on the host team at her church as well as other community organizations. When she is not busy volunteering for the tennis team she continues to lend her skills as a fifth grade teacher at Willard Elementary in Ada. 

“The tennis program is a lot like a family,” said Jill. “All the parents are eager to help and work well together. The tennis kids are hardworking, smart, and fun to be around. Most people are surprised that there are no referees or umpires in tennis, which says a lot about the character of our players. They make it all worthwhile!”

Growing up in Ada Jill played several sports including basketball, softball, and of course tennis. She attended and graduated from Ada High School, from there she went on to earn a Bachelor’s in accounting at ECU and then a Masters in Reading at the University of Central Oklahoma. 

Jill has been married to her Husband Jeremy for 18 wonderful years and they have two kids together. Tate, a junior, and Reid a seventh grader, both who play tennis. 

Volunteering for the tennis team may look a little different every time for Jill. At a tournament the parents are all working together to make sure all the players have what they need. When it comes to things like state and regionals those events can be very intense and involve a lot more planning and execution. Luckily Jill and other volunteers have Sunny Nelson there to guide them.

Anyone who volunteers with Jill knows that she will do anything for anyone that needs anything done and she will show up with a positive attitude for the other volunteers as well as the players. 

One reason that Jill enjoys volunteering for Ada is because she knows what the school system has done for her kids. 

“I am thankful for this community and also the Ada School system which provides a quality experience for my children both on and off the court,” said Jill.