SEVEN JUNIORS SELECTED FROM USTA SOUTHERN
USTA Southern announced the selection of seven young tennis players as state winners of the 2020 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest.
The seven will receive a $100 Tennis Warehouse gift card, a US Open tennis bag and a certificate from the USTA Foundation. The winning essays were selected out of nearly 200 entries from 18 chapters in seven Southern states.
“Due to COVID, the winners did not have the opportunity to attend the Winston-Salem Open in North Carolina this year,” said USTA Southern Director, of Diversity, NJTL & Grants Cee Jai Jones. “But I am very proud that so many youngsters submitted essays. We hope that next year USTA Southern will have a national winner and that he or she can experience the coveted trip to New York for the Arthur Ashe Kids Day Weekend at the US Open.”
Vielyana Kim, mother of Calvin Kim, said, “We are honored that his essay was chosen as the best in Alabama! Thank you for the opportunity for him to reflect and learn through this essay contest. He is trying to save and earn money (by stringing other people's tennis racquets) to buy a new racquet for himself and the gift certificate would help him get closer to his goal. I pray and told him that this achievement should encourage him to always be humble and serve others.”
Winner; City, State; NJTL Chapter
- Calvin Kim; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Tuscaloosa Tennis Association NJTL
- Nyla Warner; Atlanta; Coach Wink’s NJTL
- Kansas Perry; Louisville, Ky.; Rising Stars of Kentucky
- Micah Pierce; New Orleans; Excite All-Stars
- Ani’Jawaun Wilson; Greenville, Miss.; Greenville CTA NJTL
- George-Luca Duma; Wilmington, N.C.; One Love Tennis
- Peter Smith III; St. George, S.C.; St. George Youth Sports League
For a gallery of downloadable winners, click here.