2017 USTA TEXAS NJTL ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Once again, over 1,000 kids from USTA Texas submitted essays for their chance to represent the section in the NJTL National Essay Contest. Ultimately, 10 kids ages 10 to 18 were selected as the USTA Texas Essay Contest winners.

The contest was exclusive to children who participate in National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters nationwide. This year’s question asked: "In addition to tennis, education and life skills are extremely important to the development of our youth. Which one of the three components above is most important to you, and how will it help you throughout your life?" 

To enter the contest, students were asked to write an essay of 350 words or fewer.

More than one-third of the entrants in this year’s National Essay Contest came from the state of Texas. Three Chapters are represented, with Dallas Tennis and Education Academy leading the way with five.

Below is a full list of Texas winners who were nominated for the national contest winner to attend the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day in New York.

10U Boy –Rayyan Shariff, Dallas Tennis and Education Academy

10U Girl – Maryum Bint-Khalid, Dallas Tennis and Education Academy

12U Boy – Edwin Thorpe, Dallas Tennis and Education Academy

12U Girl – Yvett Karera, Houston Tennis Association

14U Boy – Jacob Bell-Banks, Houston Tennis Association

14U Girl – Madelyn Jeffers, Dallas Tennis and Education Academy

16U Boy – Ramon Alaniz, Tennis Success (Corpus Christi)

16U Girl – Kerisma Gonzalez, Tennis Success (Corpus Christi)

18U Boy – Ezra Moreno, Dallas Tennis and Education Academy

18U Girl – Hailey Carrion, Tennis Success (Corpus Christi)