Annual Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest
Online essay submissions are due and mail-in entries must be postmarked by June 25, 2013.
NJTL youth participants should write their answer to the following question: "If you could follow in Arthur Ashe’s footsteps and 'give back' to tennis, what would you do to give back to the game, and how would it impact others?" Click here for the Official Entry form and Dates Arthur Ashe was an American hero fighting battles both on and off the court. He broke barriers in the tennis world, becoming the first African-American male to win a Grand Slam tournament and finishing his career with three Grand Slam titles, including the 1968 US Open. Off the court, he was a social activist taking on issues like racial prejudice, AIDS, apartheid and education. One of his many legacies includes National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL), a network of youth-serving organizations that provide tennis and education for all. His wish was for NJTL to be a resource for kids to develop skills for leadership and academic excellence. 2012 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest National Winners
The 14th Annual Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest is sponsored annually by the USTA/NJTL. It asks USTA/NJTL participants to explain in 300 words or less, draw a picture or create artwork, why Arthur Ashe is a tennis legend.
If you are an NJTL participant, you'll be asked to write, or draw, your response to the question, "If Arthur Ashe were alive today, what do you think would give him hope?". Winners receive a trip to New York City that includes attending Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the U.S. Open, attend a professional sporting event, see a Broadway show and receive a special award at a luncheon held in your honor. Essays and art work must be in English and will not be returned. Contest entry period began July 10, 2011 and ended at 5:00 PM ET on June 1, 2012. Essay Winners: Rebecca Richey - Girls 10 and Under Brandon Torres - Boys 10 and Under Michaela Peterson - Girls 11 & 12 Timothy Bryant, Jr. - Boys 11 & 12 Halle Brazda - Girls 13 & 14 Jared Lees - Boys 13 & 14 Azani Fitten - Girls 15 & 16 Matthew Wassman - Boys 15 & 16 Lindsey Wambles - Girls 17 & 18 Tyler Haanen - Boys 17 & 18 Art Winners: Angelia Herrera - Girls 10 and Under Jasmine Standard - Girls 11 & 12 Omar Shalabi - Boys 10 and Under Robert Shi - Boys 11 & 12 View Additional Information about the 2012 Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest 2011 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest National WinnersEssay Winners:
Iasiah Sena - Girls 10 and Under Shouri Akarapu - Boys 10 and Under Martina Lam - Girls 11 & 12 Desire Johnson - Boys 11 & 12 Ashley Duong - Girls 13 & 14 Sidak Grewal - Boys 13 & 14 Naomi Dominguez - Girls 15 & 16 Benjamin Bui - Boys 15 & 16 Kari Burt - Girls 17 & 18 Kristofer Yee - Boys 17 & 18 Art Winners: Shea Walk - Girls 10 and Under Takuma Walter - Boys 10 and Under Clara Kim - Girls 11 & 12 Caleb Boyd - Boys 11 & 12 To enter, children, 18 or younger, had to write an essay in 300 words or less, or draw a picture or create artwork in response to the following question, "Why do you think Arthur Ashe created the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network and how has your NJTL Chapter impacted your life?". A USTA sub-committee selected the winning essays based on knowledge of Arthur Ashe, message clarity, and writing style. More about the 2011 NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest Winners and their Winning Entries 2010 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest National Winners
Name - Category - Section NJTL Chapter:
Paige Moore Girls 10 & Under Mid-Atlantic Southeast Tennis & Learning Center Daniel Stewart Boys 10 & Under Southern Birmingham Area Tennis Association Isis Gill-Reid Girls 11 & 12 Eastern NYJTL Kieran Walsh Boys 11 & 12 Northern St. Paul Urban Tennis Program Allyce Harrison Girls 13 & 14 Missouri Valley McAdams Community Tennis Foundation Varun Medhal Boys 13 & 14 Pacific Northwest Kids N' Tennis, Inc. Vietmy Tran Girls 15 & 16 Northern California Youth Tennis Advantage Cody Stewert Boys 15 & 16 Texas Dallas Tennis Association Grace Trimble Girls 17 & 18 Southern LTC Smart Shots Francis Cuenca Boys 17 & 18 Northern California NorCal/NJTL Training Camp To enter, children, 18 or younger, had to write an essay in 300 words or less in response to the following question, “Some say that winning the 1968 US Open as the first African American male was Arthur Ashe’s greatest accomplishment. What do you think?” A USTA sub-committee selected the winning essays based on knowledge of Arthur Ashe, message clarity, and writing style. |
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Did You Know?
In his youth, Ashe was a frail looking child, but he loved sports. Because his father was a caretaker for Brookfield Park in Richmond Virginia, his family lived in the caretaker's house on the Park grounds. Arthur grew up with tennis courts in his backyard and because he was so small he decided to take up the game. Ronald Charity, the best local player saw Arthur trying to learn the game and began to teach him. Charity then introduced Arthur to Dr. Johnson who became Arthur's mentor and coached him through his formative years in the game.
Arthur Ashe | Kids Resources
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