New England

NJTL Students Win 2023 Essay Contest

James Maimonis, Manager, Media & Communications | September 14, 2023

WESTBOROUGH, MA - USTA New England recently selected eight students as 2023 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Essay Contest winners. Run annually by the USTA Foundation and presented by Deloitte, this contest is open to NJTL students nationwide, including those a  part of New England’s 17 local chapters.

 

Students this year were asked to describe what the following quote from Althea Gibson meant to them: "No matter what accomplishments you make, someone helped you."

 

Seventy-three New England students explained who from their NJTL chapters helped them and the impact they’ve had on their lives and tennis journeys. 

 

“We reviewed some incredibly impactful essays. These scholars are wise beyond their years, and our NJTL chapters are putting them in a better position to succeed in tennis and in life. Thank you to the NJTL leaders and their staff for inspiring their youth to participate,” said Mavi Sanchez-Skakle, USTA New England Head of DEI. 

 

New England winners were entered into the national contest to be recognized in New York City in August. 

 

2023 New England winners are: 

 

Female 10 & Under: Lillian Jane, Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center
Female 11-12: Lohanna Costa, First Serve Bridgeport
Male 11-12: David Quezada, Danbury Grassroots Academy
Female 13-14: Melanie Benalcazar, Danbury Grassroots Academy
Female 15-16: Millena Coval Carapia, TeamFAME
Male 15-16: Student from Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center
Female 17-18: Student from First Serve Bridgeport
Male 17-18: Sarfaraz Sajjad, First Serve Bridgeport

 

To learn more about the NJTL Essay Contest and the USTA Foundation, click here. 

 

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