USTA Foundation celebrates 2026 NJTL essay contest winners at US Open Fan Week experience presented by Deloitte

The USTA Foundation announced the 2026 National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Essay Contest winners who are traveling to New York City and participating in a variety of exciting events and activities during US Open Fan Week, culminating with a special luncheon presented by Deloitte, the world’s largest professional services organization.

 

The eight winners, all high school students, participate in one of the more than 270 community-based organizations nationwide supported by the USTA Foundation. These organizations use tennis, education, and mentorship programs as tools to help prepare young people from under-resourced communities for the challenges and opportunities they will face.

Nearly 400 students entered this year’s contest, with essays reflecting on a moment when they showed leadership and what they learned from it. They answered the prompt: "Be a Leader: Describe a meaningful experience where you led or inspired others. What was the situation, how did you make an impact, and what did you learn about leadership that will shape your future?"

 

Each winner and their parent/legal guardian are traveling to New York City from Aug. 25 to Aug. 29, during which they will have the opportunity to experience New York City, including attending Stars of the Open at the US Open, visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and seeing the hit Broadway musical ‘Hamilton,’ and participate in an immersive learning experience with representatives from Deloitte. Each essay contest winner will also receive an honorary plaque at a special luncheon at the Yale Club of New York City.

USTA Foundation NJTL essay contest winners at the 2026 US Open. Photo by Michael ​LeBrecht/​USTA.

New this year, the USTA Foundation presented the inaugural Mayor David N. Dinkins Leadership Award, which recognizes an essay contest winner who exemplifies Mayor Dinkins' spirit of inclusive leadership, integrity, and dedication to community. Dinkins, who served as the mayor of New York City from 1990 to 1993, was a staunch advocate for the NJTL network and a friend to its co-founder, Arthur Ashe. The recognition was awarded during the luncheon on Friday, Aug. 28. 

 

“The NJTL Essay Content presented by Deloitte shines a light on what the USTA Foundation has known for more than 30 years–that young people have extraordinary stories and powerful voices, and all they need is an opportunity to share them,” said USTA Foundation CEO Ginny Ehrlich. “We are grateful to Deloitte for its support of this important initiative, offering young people the platform to express themselves, share their experiences, and strive for excellence, on and off the court.”

 

The eight winners of the 2026 NJTL Essay Contest were selected in the following categories:

 

Freshmen

Celina Jones - Prince George’s Tennis & Education Foundation

Michael Brokhin - Houston Tennis Association

 

Sophomores

McKenzie Moffatt - Inspiring Children’s Foundation

Kyle Sims-Francois - Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association, Inc.

 

Juniors

Matison Williams - A’s & Aces

Akeem "AJ" Thompson, Jr. - Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association, Inc.

 

Seniors

Amaris Williams - Love to Serve, Inc.

Jacob Joseph - MACH Academy

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