Southwest Volunteers Earn 2026 Impact Awards

To create a thriving tennis scene, volunteers and tennis enthusiasts must be a big part of the show. Through countless organizing efforts, whether that be tournaments, leagues, teaching and coaching young players, building communities or programs from scratch - the sport of tennis survives and thrives from this kind of selfless work.

The USTA Impact Awards—officially known as the 35x35 President's Impact Award and regional Community Impact/Tennis Creates Awards—recognizes unsung grassroots heroes, volunteers, and organizations expanding tennis access to underserved communities across the country. These awards support and honor the USTA's goal to reach 35 million tennis players by 2035.

Seventeen people from our Southwest communities were recently recognized for their outstanding work in our local areas.

Congratulations, the sport and the USTA thanks you for your contributions! 

IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENTS
(Southwest)

Bruce Begor (Las Cruces, NM)

Arturo Fierro (Las Cruces, NM)

Mei Hand (Tucson, AZ)

Ann Harwood (Flagstaff, AZ)

Grace Kim (Flagstaff, AZ)

Viviana Marquez (Juarez, Mexico/El Paso)

Chris and Sharon Ninkovich (El Paso, TX)
Tim Palmer (Artesia, NM)
Debbie Pippins (El Paso, TX)

Pam Ponwith (Phoenix, AZ)

Daniella Reidmiller (Sierra Vista, AZ)
Toni Sinclair (Tucson, AZ)

Chris Slakey (Santa Fe, NM)

Ryan Stotland (Tucson, AZ)

Stanley Taylor (Phoenix, AZ)

Cee Ann Vaughan (Albuquerque, NM)

Alante Wright (Phoenix)