USTA/NJTL Essay Contest Winners to Attend Kids’ Day
August 25, 2009
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The USTA today announced the 10 winners of the 11th annual USTA/NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. The 10 winners, ranging in ages from 10 to 18, will receive a travel package from August 28-August 30 that includes: round-trip coach airfare to New York City for themselves and a parent/legal guardian; two nights lodging at the Grand Hyatt 42nd Street; an honorary plaque; an Awards Luncheon hosted by Mayor Dinkins; a Duck Tour of New York City; tickets to Broadway’s “Disney’s the Little Mermaid,” and President’s Box tickets to 2009 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess on August 29 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day is the official kick-off for the 2009 US Open that runs August 31 – September 13.
The 10 winners of the 2009 USTA/NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest are:
To enter, children, 18 or younger, had to write what the Arthur Ashe quote “From what we get, we make a living; what we give, however, makes a life,” means to them in 300 words or less A USTA sub-committee selected the winning essays based on knowledge of Arthur Ashe, message clarity, and writing style.
Presented by Hess and produced by the USTA, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day honors tennis legend Arthur Ashe and continues his mission of using tennis as a means to instill in kids the values of humanitarianism, leadership and academic excellence. A portion of the proceeds from Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day benefits the USTA NJTL (National Junior Tennis and Learning). Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder founded the NJTL in 1969. Ashe envisioned NJTL “as a way to gain and hold the attention of young people in the inner cities and their poor environments so that we can teach them about matters more important than tennis.” Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the NJTL has grown to over 550 chapters serving over 220,000 youth each year, making it one of the USTA’s largest community-based offerings. It is a delivery system for the USTA’s programs, giving youth an opportunity to play tennis while also providing a safe haven, adult role models and tennis instruction.