Tim Bryant Jr.,his mother Helen, and Melanie Bischoff

Contest Exclusive to Students 18 and Younger Who Participate In National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Network Chapters Nationwide

Winners to Receive New York City Travel Package in August

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced the 14 winners of the 14th annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest. The recipients, ages 18 years old and younger, were selected from 1,810 submissions earlier this month. Each winner will receive a New York City travel package from August 24-26.

To enter the contest, children were asked to write an essay of 350 words or less, or create an art piece, responding to a specific question around Arthur Ashe and his great accomplishments. This year’s question – “If Arthur Ashe were alive today, what do you think would give him hope?” A USTA sub-committee selected the winning essays from over 1,100 submitted based on their knowledge of Arthur Ashe, message clarity, and writing style. The winning art pieces, which included over 700 submissions, were also selected based on their knowledge of Arthur Ashe and creativity.

“We are truly proud to recognize this year’s Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest for their ability to define Ashe’s legacy and his passion for uplifting youth through tennis and education,” said Karin Buchholz, Director for Community Outreach & Education, USTA. “As students of NJTL chapters from around the country, their work shows the lasting and positive impact that tennis and education has on their lives, which is what Ashe hoped for all along.”

The winners will receive round-trip airfare to New York City for themselves and a parent/legal guardian; two nights stay at the Grand Hyatt 42nd Street, and President’s Box tickets to the 2012 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess on August 25 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The weekend will wrap-up with an awards luncheon on August 26, hosted by former New York City Mayor and USTA Board Member David Dinkins, where the winners will receive an honorary plaque.

Founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, the USTA/National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network is a nation-wide group of more than 660 non-profit youth-development organizations that provide free or low cost tennis, education and life skills programming to more than 250,000 children each year. Celebrating its 43rd anniversary this year, NJTL is one of the USTA’s largest community-based offerings.

The 14 winners of the 14th Annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest are:

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