arts & entertainment

On Thursday, February 26th, more than 200 spectators gathered at The Boulevard Tennis & Padel Club for the Open Division Finals of the 31st Annual King of the Hill Tennis Tournament, Presented by Simsovic Chiropractic & Wellness.

Fernando Herrera, tennis professional at John’s Island, won the title and Matteo Masala, also with John’s Island, was the runner-up.

The full list of players who competed in the Open Division Final are as follows:

– Chase Perez Blanco – Vero Beach, winner of the open division in 2019, 2020 and 2022

– Fernando Herrera – John’s Island, first time participation and finalist

– Ivan Ivars – The Boulevard Tennis, first time participation and finalist

– Matteo Masala – John’s Island, second time participation, first time finalist.

To kick off the Open Division Final, Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes announced the recipients of the 2026 Gigi Casapu Scholarship. This scholarship is made annually in honor of Casapu, who started King of the Hill in 1996, and he is the event’s founder, organizer and tournament director. To qualify for the scholarship, candidates completed an extensive application packet, including a written essay and letters of recommendation.

Students Naudiah Darrisaw and Adrian Padilla were selected as the 2026 scholarship winners, each receiving $500.

Currently a sophomore at Indian River Charter High School, Naudiah is an A/B Honor-roll student. At Youth Guidance she participates in the Teachers in Training program in partnership with The Learning Alliance where she is paired with certified teachers at local elementary schools, assisting with tutoring younger children and providing academic interventions after school.

Adrian, a senior attending Sebastian River High School, is currently enrolled in the Youth Guidance Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship. In this program, he is earning industry certifications and learning the basics of five trades, including HVAC, carpentry, electric, plumbing, and welding. According to Padilla, the program is helping him reach his goal of becoming a carpenter and construction manager.

At the conclusion of the 31st Annual King of the Hill Tennis Tournament, Youth Guidance received a total of $69,121.

According to Youth Guidance Executive Director, Phil Barnes, event proceeds will be used to provide academic tutoring with certified teachers, life skills programs, workforce development initiatives such as construction trades and culinary arts training, and healthy meals for children with limited resources.

“The King of the Hill has been an incredible tradition in this community for more than 30 years,” Barnes said. “The event allows Youth Guidance to further its mission and impact more local children and young adults in need each year.”

The Open Division Final was a thrilling conclusion to a successful King of the Hill season, which spanned six weeks in total. Mikael Pernfors with Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club won the 50s Division, and Cullen DeWindt with Piper’s Landing won the 40s Division.

Gigi Casapu is the founder, organizer, and director of the King of the Hill. He started the event in memory of his brother, Johnny Casapu, who tragically passed away in a car accident. Johnny was a world-class tennis professional, a teaching pro in Hawaii and Palm Springs, and a close friend and teammate of the legendary Ilie Nastase. Since 1996, Gigi has been a dedicated supporter of Youth Guidance, organizing the King of the Hill Fundraising Tournament to help support the organization’s mission.

Proceeds from the tournament will fund life skills and vocational training programs for local children and young adults, including cooking, sewing, money management, bicycle repair, HVAC, plumbing, welding, carpentry, electrical work, and more.

About Youth Guidance:

Youth Guidance is dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that build trust, self-esteem, and pathways to academic and career success. Founded in 1973, Youth Guidance provides three key programs to help children, teenagers, and young adults (ages 6-24) break the cycle of poverty, including: The Pathways Afterschool Program, the Summer Enrichment Program, and the Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which includes construction trades and culinary arts training. If you are interested in supporting or learning more about Youth Guidance, please call (772) 492-3933, or visit http://www.youthguidanceprogram.org.