NJTL Students Win 2024 Essay Contest

WESTBOROUGH, MA – Seven local students were recently selected as USTA New England’s 2024 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 New England’s 17 local chapters.

This year, students were asked to write about someone who they feel is a GOAT (greatest of all time), whether a coach, athlete, teacher or family member. 

Essayists ages 12 and under answered the question, “In your opinion, who is the greatest of all time and why?” Essayists ages 13 to 18 wrote about the qualities & attributes they feel elevate an individual to the greatest of all time while sharing a personal story of someone in their life worthy of this title.

Forty-four New England students entered. The section winners are listed below and include their age bracket and NJTL chapter:  

Noemy DeSouza, TeamFAME (female 15-16)

Mark Velacela, Danbury Grassroots Academy (male 15-16)

Yesica Marquez, Danbury Grassroots Academy (female 13-14)

Julianna Gomez, First Serve Bridgeport (female 11-12)

Angel Quilligana, Danbury Grassroots Academy (male 11-12)

Angelie Gonzalez, Danbury Grassroots Academy (female 10 and under)

Johnny Chimbo, Danbury Grassroots Academy (male 10 and under)

New England winners were entered into a national contest to win a trip to New York City. Five boys and five girls from across the country were ultimately selected. 

To learn more about the 2024 contest, click here.