"I Act With Respect"

Isabel Pecora

"I volunteer at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge and I’m an officer of my school’s Best Buddies chapter"

My name is Isabel Pecora. I’m a senior at Saratoga Springs High School and I’ve been on the Varsity Tennis Team for the past 4 years. I also am on the Varsity Alpine Skiing Team and I play travel softball for Saratoga Thunder. I volunteer at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge and I’m an officer of my school’s Best Buddies chapter. I will be attending Roger Williams University in the fall.

How did you meet Coach Rich Johns?
I met Coach Johns through the Saratoga tennis program when I was on the JV team in 7th grade. He came in to speak to our team about his Act With Respect Always program and to share his message. He’d known my sisters through the tennis program already and came over to offer some advice on my shots. Since then, he’s always been there for tennis advice or just help in general whenever I needed it.

How did you hear about Act With Respect Always?
I heard about Coach Johns and his Act With Respect Always program through my two older sisters. One day after coach had met with their team to talk about his mission, my mom and I were waiting in the car to drive them home and my oldest sister Hanna handed me and my mother each a bracelet. Coach had told her to share those with us and since then, I’ve tried my best to be wearing one wherever I go.

How has the Act With Respect Always mission affected you personally?
Throughout my tennis career, Coach Johns has promoted respect on and off the court. The Act With Respect Always banners hung on, not only our courts, but the courts of many teams in our section promoting his mission. It has helped me in times of frustration during matches. Coach knows that mental toughness has always been a weak point for me in my tennis game but seeing those signs reminds me of what he’s said, and I’m very thankful for that. I had the pleasure of taking a trip with Coach Johns to South Glens Falls High School and some of what he said was what I’ve heard before from his many speeches to the tennis team, but one part really resonated with me. He mentioned the book “The Energy Bus” which talks about keeping people on “your bus” who are positive influences and can help you in times of need and letting people off your bus who don’t meet those standards. After hearing him speak and applying some of the tactics to my life, I found it brought out the best of me, which again I’m thankful for.

Please share with us how you have, or will in the future “Pay it Forward”
Currently, I volunteer at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge when I’m available, helping with Sunday brunches and bingo nights. I became involved with this program through my grandparents who have been highly involved with the organization for as long as I can remember. I’m planning on continuing to volunteer throughout college.  

How would you describe the Act With Respect Always mission to others?
The Act With Respect Always program is a motivator for people on this mission to be the best versions of themselves and to respect themselves and others. The “What’s your 99%?” mission has been a big part of the program to me, teaching me to see people for more than what’s on the outside. It’s also taught me not to be as hard on myself, especially in tennis. I’ll never forget when I “inspired” Coach to make a mental toughness sheet that focused on how to get out of your own head in tennis, which he then proceeded to hand out to the team, spreading his message even further. This mission spreads very important messages such as those mentioned above which are needed in our world today to make a better tomorrow.

Would you recommend Rich to speak about Respect to others?
I would recommend that everyone hears at Rich Johns speak at least once in their lifetime. I’ve been blessed with hearing him speak every year to the Saratoga tennis team about his Act With Respect Always program and I wish everyone had that opportunity. I look forward to the days he comes to speak to my team and hand out wristbands every year. I think I speak for all of Saratoga Tennis when I say it has changed our lives for the better. His passion for the mission is contagious and allows everyone to see things in a different light. I will remember the things Coach Johns has taught me, whether it be about tennis or his program, for a lifetime and I’m so thankful to be a part of this mission.