The winners of the 16th annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest were honored from Aug. 22 to Aug. 24 in the lead-up to the 2014 US Open, coming to New York to join the festivities around the 2014 Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.
The 10 winners, ranging in ages from 10 to 18, were selected out of close to 2,600 entries submitted last month. Each winner received round-trip airfare to New York City for themselves and a parent/legal guardian; a two-night stay at the Grand Hyatt 42nd Street; tickets to New York’s critically acclaimed theatrical show “THE RIDE”; a Circle Line Liberty Cruise sightseeing tour; and VIP status in the President’s Box during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Aug. 23.
The weekend wrapped up with an awards luncheon on Aug. 24, hosted by former New York City Mayor and USTA board member David Dinkins, where the winners received an honorary plaque.
Click the video above to hear the award winners in their own words as they discuss what Arthur Ashe means to them, why they chose their essay topics and how they enjoyed the trip to New York.
And for more on the contest and the contest winners, read the full story here.
The 10 winners of the 2014 Arthur Ashe Essay Contest were selected in the following categories:
| Category |
NJTL |
| Boys & Girls 10 and Under |
|
| Srinath M., 10, New York |
New York Junior Tennis and Learning (NYJTL) |
| Makda D., 10, California |
Youth Tennis Advantage |
| |
|
| Boys & Girls 11/12 |
|
| Torianh B., 11, Connecticut |
Norwalk Grassroots Tennis |
| Marion R., 12, Minnesota |
InnerCity Tennis |
| |
|
| Boys & Girls 13/14 |
|
| Daud G., 13, D.C. |
Leadership Council for Healthy Communities |
| Ana-Lei K., 13, South Carolina |
Lowcountry Youth Tennis Association |
| |
|
| Boys & Girls 15/16 |
|
| Roby W., 16, Maryland |
Prince George's Tennis and Education Foundation |
| Lea B., 15, Wyoming |
University of Wyoming NJTL |
| |
|
| Boys & Girls 17/18 |
|
| Andreas N., 17, New York |
Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program |
| Jasmine R., 17, Alabama |
New Lyons Park Tennis Association |