 USTA/NJTL Arthur Ashe Esay Contest Winners 2007
2007 Arthur Ashe Essay Contest winners (in NJTL shirts) at the U.S. Open on Arthur Ashe Kids' Day with ITA Executive Director David Benjamin, USTA President Jane Brown Grimes and International Tennis Association winners.
The Arthur Ashe Essay Contest
The Arthur Ashe Essay Contest is sponsored annually by the USTA/NJTL. It asks USTA/NJTL participants to explain in 300 words or less why Arthur Ashe is a tennis legend. Winners receive a trip to New York City that includes attending Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the U.S. Open.
View Additional Information about the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest »
2007 USTA/NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest Winners |
Alexandra Murdock
Age: 10
Residence: Randallstown, MD
Julia E. Schifani
Age: 12
Residence: Memphis, TN
Christine Crawford
Age: 14
Residence: Louisville, KY
Erica Frederiksen
Age: 16
Residence: Audubon, IA
Neha Rao
Age: 18
Residence: Houston, TX |
Onyemachi Provost (“Machi”)
Age: 10
Residence: Aiken, SC
Daniel A. Galindo-Navarro
Age: 12
Residence: Redmond, WA
Michael Herman
Age: 14
Residence: Philadelphia, PA
Christopher Sanchez
Age: 16
Residence: Astoria, NY
Dennis Xu
Age: 18
Residence: Palo Alto, CA |
Featured Winning Essay
Serving For a Greater Purpose
By Dennis Xu, 18
He paused to wipe the thin layer of fog off his black-rimmed glasses. Hunched over ready for the return, it was hard to imagine that he had come so far. The thwack of the serve and the whir of the green blur drew him to focus as he made a resounding return. A couple of rallies and miraculous finish, he found himself on his knees. The deafening applause enveloped him as he lay there on the smooth slopes of the English grass courts. It was over, and he had won the Wimbledon of 1975 as the first African American, unpredictably defeating the tennis legend, Jimmy Connors.
Gaining prestige as well as the support of countless African Americans in the days of the Civil Rights Movement, Ashe was the first black tennis player to ever be selected on the US Davis Cup team. The soon to be recognized tennis wonder went on to win the US Open of 1968, the Australian Open of 1970 and Wimbledon of 1975, shattering the bonds of segregation to encourage many African Americans to play tennis as well as demonstrating to the world how the dream of a lanky colored tennis player can come to reality with determination and a will to never give up.
In addition to establishing an Urban Healthcare Center, Ashe gave back to his communities and encouraged youth tennis, by founding the National Junior Tennis League as well as the ABC Cities Tennis programs. With his efforts, hundreds of adolescents each year have had opportunities to embrace their passion for tennis and thrive as active players. Arthur Ashe has changed the history of tennis, acting as a symbol of hope for the underprivileged. A great tennis legend, and an even greater activist for his community, Ashe has undoubtedly shown why he will forever stand as a figure of celebrated purpose.
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“As never before, our moral, intellectual, and material wealth will depend on the strength, skills and productivity of our youth.” — Arthur Ashe
Current Events
Arthur Ashe Kids' Day - August 25th
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/
2007-08-25/200708141187134322781.html
Accolades for Patrick McEnroe, Donald Dell, and Chip Mason at the 2007 WTEF Tennis Ball
http://www.wtef.org/events.html
Kid Related Arthur Ashe Legacy Resources
Arthur Ashe Children's Program
Washington, D.C.
http://www.wtef.org/programs_dscr.html#aacp
Reaching 450 at-risk 2nd through 9th graders a year, this after school program works on tennis, academics and life skills. Every day has a prescribed amount of time for homework and one-on-one help. In addition, tennis instruction is provided on school and neighborhood tennis courts. These activities help keep kids involved in school and foster self-esteem and confidence.
Safe Passage Tennis Program
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.lajcc.org/sptp/index.html
Using tennis as a tool to teach self-esteem, character and discipline, Safe Passage brings together educators, tennis professionals, parents and volunteers to run in-school and after school tennis programs. Kids enroll between the ages of 5-12 and can choose to continue in the program all the way through high school, to age 18.
Virginia Heroes
Richmond, VA
http://www.virginiaheroes.org/
Founded by Arthur Ashe in 1991, Virginia Heroes provides middle school students in Richmond with mentors who help them to develop life and decision making skills. Through visits to local colleges and universities, the program also encourages students to think about their opportunities for higher education.
Kid Related Resources
Activity Village
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/index.htm
Website with learning games aimed at kids, similar to funbrain.
Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the US Open
http://www.usopen.org/arthur_ashe_kids_day/
fullstory.sps?iType=13846&iNewsid=405543
FunBrain.com
http://www.funbrain.com/index.html
Games with learning components for kids, also huge teacher activity section of site
Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org/
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