Arthur Ashe Essay Contest Is Open To NYC Schoolchildren

Public domain photo through en.wikipedia.org

The New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) has announced that all New York City boys and girls, ages 18 and under are welcome to enter the organization's annual New York Junior Tennis League Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. Presented by Con Edison, the contest is run by the NYJTL's Arthur Ashe Educational Guidance Program. All essays submitted by New York City children to the NYJTL will also be submitted to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for inclusion in the USTA's national Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. By submitting essays to the NYJTL, children have the opportunity to enter the New York City and national competition.

"Why is Arthur Ashe a Legend?" is the theme of this year's citywide essay contest. The non-profit organization that provides free tennis and educational programs for more than 200,000 New York City boys and girls every year was founded by Arthur Ashe more than 30 years ago. "This essay contest is a way for us to carry on Arthur's work and to keep his memory alive. By writing about him and researching his life and career, we believe that the children taking part in this contest will learn about his approach to life and commitment to making this world a better place through the sport that he loved so much," Skip Hartman, New York Junior Tennis League president and a friend of Arthur Ashe, said.

Commenting on the annual essay contest, Frances A. Resheske, Con Edison senior vice president for public affairs, said, "Con Edison is committed to the education of New York City's young people. This essay contest is a way to blend the sport of tennis with the art of writing and to keep the name of Arthur Ashe, a tremendous athlete and great New Yorker, alive."

To enter the contest, children must submit a 300-word (or less) essay on an 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper answering the question: "Why is Arthur Ashe a Legend?" to the New York Junior Tennis League. All New York City entries submitted to the NYJTL will be judged by a NYJTL committee. Student age groups are based on entrants' ages as of July 10, 2006. A boy and a girl from each group will be chosen as citywide winners from the following categories:
Girls 10 and under-Boys 10 and under.
Girls 12 and under-Boys 12 and under.
Girls 14 and under-Boys 14 and under.
Girls 16 and under-Boys 16 and under.
Girls 18 and under-Boys 18 and under.

Essays will be reviewed on the basis of knowledge of Arthur Ashe's life and his being a citizen of the world, not only a legendary tennis player, as well as for clarity and writing style. A total of 50 borough finalists will be chosen and will receive medals. From the borough winners, 10 citywide winners will be selected. The 10 citywide winners will receive plaques during ceremonies on Arthur Ashe Kids Day, August 26, at the start of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The citywide winners will also be guests of the New York Junior Tennis League in the NYJTL suite at the U.S. Open on Arthur Ashe Kids Day. They will also receive two tickets during the second week of the U.S. Open.

Schools that submit winning entries in the borough contests will receive a plaque to display on their walls. As an added incentive, the New York Junior Tennis League will award two seats during the final week of the U.S. Open to the teacher from each borough who submits the most entries,. The NYJTL site director submitting the most entries will also receive two seats during the final week of the U.S. Open.

The deadline for submission is June 2, 2006. New York City schoolchildren must mail their essay to: The New York Junior Tennis League, Educational Services Department, 58-12 Queens Blvd., Woodside 11377.

To learn more about the New York Junior Tennis League 2006 Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, presented by Con Edison, and the NYJTL free afterschool and summer tennis programs in all five boroughs, visit www.nyjtl.org or call 718-786-7110, ext. 8162.