2019 NJTL Essay Contest winners announced

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August 19, 2019 05:41 PM

Ten young people from ages 10 to 18 are set to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the 2019 US Open, as they were announced as winners of the 21st annual National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Essay Contest.

Sponsored by the USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the USTA, each winner will receive a trip to New York City along with a parent or guardian, and will have VIP status in the USTA President’s Box in Arthur Ashe Stadium as part of the 2019 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation on Aug. 24.

In addition, presenting sponsor Deloitte will welcome the winners and their chaperones to its New York City office on Aug. 23 for an educational and immersive experience, learning from professional mentors about the importance of thinking, working with others, and networking. The group will also visit 30 Rockefeller Center’s “Top of the Rock.”

Their weekend will wrap up at an awards luncheon on Sunday, Aug. 25, hosted by USTA Foundation Honorary Board Member, and former New York City mayor, the Honorable David N. Dinkins.

"It is an honor and an inspiration to support our next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Terri Cooper, Deloitte’s Chief Inclusion Officer. “We are proud to play a part in helping students dream big and seize the opportunities that await them.”

The luncheon will be held at the Yale Club, where the essay contest winners will receive an honorary plaque. This year’s emcee will be USTA Foundation Past President and 21-time Grand Slam doubles champion Pam Shriver.

“We are excited to celebrate 50 years of the NJTL network,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “One amazing highlight of this celebration is the opportunity for us to honor this year’s essay contest winners, who exemplify the essence of what NJTL represents. We are also grateful to once again recognize Deloitte as our annual luncheon sponsor.

"For a second year, they welcome the winners to their office for a wonderful and interactive experience. Together, we are looking forward to providing a memorable and life-changing weekend for our winners and their families.”

This year’s essay question, celebrating a momentous anniversary for the NJTL--which seeks to develop young people nationwide through tennis and education--asked: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of NJTL. What specific impact do you hope your chapter can make in your community today that you would want remembered 50 years from now?”

To enter the contest, students were asked to answer this question in an essay of fewer than 350 words, and the 10 winners were selected from over 2,600 entries.