David Gonzalez
President & Founder
Hi, I’m David! As an upcoming high school senior and the founder of Big Hearts Small Courts, my ultimate passion is giving back.
I started this non-profit because I truly love volunteering, lifting others up, and uniting people around a shared purpose. For me, it is all about building strong communities, creating meaningful connections, and making a real difference, one court at a time. When I am not giving back or working on our non-profit initiatives, I enjoy playing pickleball, fishing, and cheering on my favorite hockey team.
Sophie Hochwald
Vice-President
Hi! My name is Sophie Hochwald and I am a senior at American Heritage Plantation. I love being the Vice President of BHSC because of our commitment to efficiency, having fun, and raising as much money as possible towards an incredible cause! In my free time I love, of course, playing pickleball, reading, writing, and hanging out with my friends. I really enjoy helping others and am always happy to volunteer my time to raising money, awareness, or to just make sure things go smoothly.
Nate Burkhalter
Vice-President
Hello, my name is Nathaniel Burkhalter. I’m going into my senior year at American Heritage and plantation Florida. I am the president of the Joe DiMaggio AHS All-Stars club as well, I run a community service project helping to teach kids golf. I am very excited to be apart of this program and can’t wait to get started.
Aarav Verenkar
Head of Marketing
Hi, I’m Aarav! I’m a high school student who enjoys staying active, giving back to my community, and helping others. I joined this organization because I believe pickleball brings people together and makes it easy for people of all ages to stay active and have fun. Outside of volunteering, I play soccer and enjoy learning about business and entrepreneurship. I’m excited to be part of this team and help grow the game of pickleball in our community.
Lucas Gavrilescu
Head of Logistics
Hi everyone! My name is Lucas Gavrilescu. I’m a senior at American Heritage and I’m excited to be the Head of Logistics for BHSC this year! Pickleball is one of my favorite pastimes, so I’m happy to be combining it with my love of service. A bit about me: Outside of school, I like watching new shows and movies, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. I’m excited for the year ahead!
Jonathan Schwartz
Head of Community Outreach
My name is Jonathan Schwartz and I am a rising senior at American Heritage School who loves bringing people together through service and meaningful connections. What I enjoy most about pickleball is the community it creates and the friendships that grow both on and off the court. Through Big Hearts, Small Courts, I am grateful for the opportunity to help make the sport more welcoming and accessible while giving back to others. Outside of pickleball, I founded Civic Conscience, a nonprofit that teaches middle school students about ethical decision making and the juvenile justice system.. I hope to continue building communities where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and inspired to make a difference.
Team Members
Behind Big Hearts Small Courts is a dedicated group of individuals driven by a shared passion for community, volunteering, and making a difference. Get to know the people working hard behind the scenes, and on the courts, to bring our mission to life!