Ten juniors selected as NJTL essay contest winners

Ten individuals from the USTA Missouri Valley were named section winners of the 2024 USTA Foundation National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network Essay Contest. Seven individuals from First Serve OKC, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit organization, and three individuals from Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy, a St. Louis nonprofit, were selected as essay winners.

Additionally, Ian W. from First Serve OKC was chosen as a 2024 USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest National winner in the 15-16 male category. As a result, Ian and a parent/guardian received an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City during the 2024 US Open.

As part of that trip, the essay contest national winners were honored at an awards luncheon and had the opportunity to visit the global headquarters of Deloitte among other memorable experiences. Ian is one of several USTA Missouri Valley individuals with a connection to this year’s US Open.

Here is the list of individuals selected as essay contest section winners.

• Esme G., Female 10 & Under, First Serve OKC

• Dharvi E., Female 11-12, First Serve OKC

• Lucia M., Female 13-14, First Serve OKC

• Dakota S., Female 15-16, Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy

• Piper S., Female 17-18, First Serve OKC

• Soren G., Male 10 & Under, Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy

• Lincoln B., Male 11-12, Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy

• Lucas B., Male 13-14, First Serve OKC

• Ian W., Male 15-16, First Serve OKC (National winner)

• Daniel R., Male 17-18, First Serve OKC

For more information about the USTA Foundation NJTL network, which includes more than 250 nonprofit youth development organizations, click here.