USTA Foundation, the national charitable organization of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), honored the 10 winners of the 18th annual NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest on Aug. 28 at the Yale Club in New York City.
The winners, ranging in ages from 10 to 18, were selected out of more than 2,800 entries submitted this summer.
Chloe Henderson, 18, of Las Vegas, was one of the 10 winners.
Henderson graduated from the West Career and Technical Academy High School in 2016, where she was valedictorian.
She is a four-time state doubles champion and is attending Williams College in the fall where she will be majoring in biology and playing on the tennis team. She is a part of the Marty Hennessy Inspiring Children Foundation.
This year’s essay contest focused on tennis legend and pioneer Althea Gibson and her ability to show unwavering strength and courage in the face of adversity. That enabled her to become a trailblazer in the tennis world as the first African-American Grand Slam and U.S. Championships winner.
To enter the contest, students were asked to write an essay of 350 words or less. This year’s question asked: “How have your skills in tennis impacted the development of your character and how you address your personal challenges on and off the court?”
Each winner received round-trip airfare to New York City for herself and a parent or legal guardian plus a two-night stay at the Grand Hyatt 42nd Street and VIP status in the President’s Box during the 2016 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess.
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day was held Saturday, Aug. 27, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
