Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: Two recipients of the USTA × ALPFA Scholarship set their sights on the future

During Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond, the USTA recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions that Hispanic and Latin American communities have brought to this country. The USTA also aims to give back to those communities and help inspire future generations of athletes and professionals. 

As a part of that mission, members of the USTA attended the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., last month. The USTA served as a sponsor of the 6,000-person event and took time to catch up with two ALPFA and USTA scholarship recipients.

Mariana Torres, another scholarship recipient, didn’t expect to be in this position. She knew the competition was stiff, but applied with the hopes of helping ease the financial burden on her parents. The 21-year-old was born and raised in Mexico, and is now pursuing an accounting and business analytics degree at Florida International University. 

“This scholarship helped me to have the privilege to face new challenges and to be out of my comfort zone,” Torres said. “With the money that I just saved from my tuition, I can invest in something like certifications or invest in new projects that help me to build a better future for my career.”

A tennis player herself, Torres first picked up a racquet at 10 years old. She played throughout her adolescence, and even continued at the college level—making the USTA’s involvement with the scholarship even more special. 

“Tennis has told me to be perseverant and to work hard,” Torres said. “I see accounting as tennis. Sometimes you don't want to play, sometimes you just want to quit, but you just have to keep pushing forward because you have to reach a goal.”