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Author: Ashlynn Thomas

Celebrating the Future of Tennis, Education, and Community Leadership

MTEF is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 scholarships and grants. This year’s awards recognize exceptional individuals and organizations from across the USTA Midwest Section who are using tennis as a powerful tool for education, empowerment, and community development.

Individual Grants & Scholarships

  • Dorothy Kohl Future Star Achievement Award
    $10,000 each
    – Alexandra Hu (Northern Illinois)
    – Beatrice Bizzieri (Chicago)
  • Richard Bradley Memorial Scholarship
    $2,500
    – David Lewis (Southeast Michigan)
  • Rick Van Horn Scholarship
    $1,000
    – Andrew Vincler (Central Indiana)
  • Anne Krupp Memorial Scholarship
    $2,500
    – Analiyah Robertson (Northern Illinois)
  • MTEF Individual Grants
    – Beatrice Bizzieri (Chicago) – $2,500
    – Elizabeth Boege (Chicago) – $2,500
    – Nahla Bowles (Ohio Valley) – $1,000
    – Austin Bruey (Ohio Valley) – $2,500
    – Isaac Cantwell (Central Indiana) – $2,500
    – Jake Critchfield (Ohio Valley) – $2,500
    – Anthony DeRosa (Chicago) – $2,500
    – Gia Trac-Quyen Kirin Do (Southeast Michigan) – $2,500
    – Chinmayi Swaminathan (Wisconsin) – $1,000
    – Levi Jones (Northeastern Michigan) – $2,500
    – Anya Leckerling (Chicago) – $2,500
    – Amit Limbu (Northeast Ohio) – $3,000
    – Sammie Mercer (Ohio Valley) – $2,500
    – MariYona Shannon (Northwest Ohio) – $2,500
    – Alex Soso (Chicago) – $3,000
    – Kaede Usui (Wisconsin) – $4,000
    – Chloe Wang (Northeast Ohio) – $2,500

MTEF Individual Diversity Grants

These awards highlight students from underrepresented communities demonstrating promise and passion both on and off the court.

  • Asher Karim (Chicago) – $2,000
  • Samuel Kole-James (Southeast Michigan) – $2,000
  • Abhinav Manikandan (Central Indiana) – $2,000
  • Jaira McNealy (Ohio Valley) – $3,000
  • Joyous McNealy (Ohio Valley) – $2,500
  • Niya Rai (Northeast Ohio) – $1,000
  • Bethany Orozco (Chicago) – $2,500

MTEF Organization Grants

These nonprofits and community programs are leading the charge in creating accessible, inclusive, and impactful tennis and education opportunities for youth across the Midwest.

  • Accelerate4KIDS Foundation (Southeast Michigan) – $2,000
  • ACEing Autism Inc. (Northeast Ohio) – $2,000
  • Advantage Cleveland Tennis and Education (Northeast Ohio) – $2,000
  • Amigos, the Richmond Latino Center (Central Indiana) – $4,000
  • Bethel Area Tennis Association (Ohio Valley) – $2,000
  • Blue Sky Tennis (Southeast Michigan) – $4,000
  • DublinTennis Outreach Program (Ohio Valley) – $2,000
  • Evansville Area Tennis Patrons (Central Indiana) – $2,000
  • FAST CTA dba Cincinnati Tennis Foundation (Ohio Valley) – $2,000
  • Great River Tennis Association (Mid-South Illinois) – $3,500
  • Indianapolis Tennis and Education Foundation (Central Indiana) – $2,000
  • Inner-City Tennis Project (Ohio Valley) – $2,000
  • Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation (Wisconsin) – $2,000
  • Motor City Tennis Club (Southeast Michigan) – $3,000
  • North High School Tennis (Northeast Ohio) – $2,000
  • Opportunity Tennis Academy (Southeast Michigan) – $3,500
  • The ACE Project, Inc. (Chicago) – $2,000
  • Thrive Through Tennis Foundation (Northeast Ohio) – $4,000
  • Todd Martin Youth Leadership (Western Michigan) – $2,000
  • West Michigan Community Tennis Inc. (Western Michigan) – $2,000

The USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) is thrilled to announce the success of its 5th consecutive Foundation 500 Board Fundraiser, which raised more than $17,000 in just 31 days. With an additional $15,000 in matching gifts from silent donors, the total fundraising impact will exceed $32,000. This is a true testament to the passion and commitment of the USTA Midwest and MTEF’s board members and supporters.

“This remarkable achievement reflects the deep dedication of our board and the generosity of our extended MTEF family,” said Liz Dickison, Executive Director. “Together, we’re creating greater access to tennis and education for youth across the Midwest.”

Founded in 1992 as the charitable arm of the USTA Midwest Section, MTEF (formerly Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation) has worked to change lives through tennis and education. The Foundation places a special emphasis on engaging diverse youth from all cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds providing a positive, structured environment to learn the game of tennis and build life skills.

The annual Foundation 500 initiative is powered by board members who dedicate their time and efforts to raise critical funds in support of MTEF’s mission. These contributions help provide scholarships for young athletes, fund community programs, and support tennis-based youth development efforts across the region.

In 2017, MTEF expanded its mission to include adult populations through programming such as Adaptive Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis, and Wounded Warriors, further extending the reach and impact of the Foundation’s work.

MTEF would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all board members, donors, and silent supporters who helped make this year’s campaign a resounding success. Your generosity brings tennis, and its lifelong benefits, to those who need it most.

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Veterans Tennis for All Clinic brought energy, laughter, and heartfelt connection to the John B. Norris Recreation Center in Saint Charles, Illinois. The event was a joint effort by USTA, the Northern Illinois District, Allenforce, and the Saint Charles Illinois Park District — all united in their mission to create inclusive and meaningful opportunities through sport.

Held from 1–4 PM, the afternoon featured a unique First Service Doubles (FSD) format and a mix of adult and red ball tennis. Eight veterans attended: one experienced wheelchair tennis athlete, one veteran accompanied by a service dog, and six able-bodied veterans living with invisible injuries.  Five USTA volunteers led the day.  Joe Tegtmeier led the FSD component with one enthusiastic participant, while the rest, Matt Hrtanek, Gina Jasovic, Brett Schrama and Adriane Welker rotated through games and drills designed for all levels.

The experienced wheelchair athlete seamlessly integrated into the group, sharing, “I don’t mind that there aren’t other wheelchair players here — I just want to hang out with other veterans and enjoy the afternoon.” His presence set a powerful example of inclusion in action.

The group’s stories added to the spirit of the event. One veteran, a former high school tennis player, joked that she “got her phone back in no time,” reconnecting with her skills quickly. Another participant laughed, recalling how she “flunked tennis” in PE class and came out to redeem herself. By the end of the day, redemption was had — not just in skill, but in joy, connection, and confidence.

Allenforce volunteers Donna and Lindsay, along with five USTA volunteers, helped make the afternoon smooth, welcoming, and uplifting. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and moments of encouragement on every court.

As the event wrapped up, the message was clear: everyone had a great time, and many said they would keep playing. The Veterans Tennis for All Clinic wasn’t just about the sport — it was about community, healing, and having fun together.

Think back to the first time you looked in the mirror as a young girl and started taking note of those things that you perceived were flaws or imperfections.  Do you remember how old you were when feelings of self doubt appeared?  When that inner voice stirred up feelings of not being good enough or pretty enough or caused you to think that you weren’t perfect as you were?  When did someone else’s opinion start to carry more weight and impact your sense of self?  

A shocking decline in self-confidence begins as early as age 8. Two recent studies highlight the urgency of this issue: The Confidence Code for Girls reports a 30% drop in confidence among girls aged 8 to 14, while The Girls’ Index found that over half of fifth and sixth-grade girls doubt their intelligence in pursuing their dream careers. (“Confidence Code for Girls”) These statistics are more than numbers; they represent a generation of girls at risk of never reaching their full potential due to self-doubt. It’s crucial that we teach confidence, self-acceptance, and self-love from an early age, ensuring that every girl feels empowered to chase her dreams. Early education and strong role models are vital in shaping a future where young women grow into self-assured, resilient leaders.

Middle school is a pivotal time for self-development, as students begin forming their identities and navigating complex social dynamics. During this period, many face challenges that can impact self-esteem—such as physical changes, academic pressure, peer acceptance, self-comparison, and identity formation.  For girls, this is often harder. Research shows that self-esteem and confidence often decline for girls more than boys during middle school.   We are seeing this in youth sports, which was once protected against self-esteem and body image issues. 

A recent Women In Sport survey found that many girls are quitting sports in their teen years, citing low self-esteem and heightened body concerns—often worsened by social media exposure. (Women N Sports)  But we want our girls to see themselves as leaders and build their confidence.  By doing this, we are providing them skills to pursue their dreams, and enjoy tennis along the way as their sport of choice. Billie Jean King argues that “94% of women in C-suites identify as being an athlete. Girls that learn sports learn how to lead.”

Besides the increase of social media, studies have found other contributing factors include puberty-related changes, academic demands, social pressures, and limited support.   In order to address these issues, and help the next generation of girls reach their full potential, we must think of programs, experiences, or engagement models for young girls to discover how to love themselves.  To address this, we can focus on strategies such as emphasizing effort and growth over grades, promoting healthy friendships, helping girls navigate peer pressure and bullying, and encouraging participation in activities that build confidence and belonging. Adults can also model positive self-talk and help girls challenge negative thoughts and self-criticism.

Now, imagine a world where young girls look in the mirror and see not just their reflection, but their undeniable potential. One USTA Midwest NJTL Chapter, Advantage Cleveland Tennis and Education, has launched a new initiative designed to equip young girls with the resources they need to thrive. Through strategic partnerships, they are offering workshops that empower girls with confidence-building mindsets, character development, positive body image, problem-solving skills, and a strong support network.

Advantage Cleveland’s Girls Rising in Tennis (GRIT) program is dedicated to empowering young girls and redefining how they learn and play tennis to support both athletic and personal growth. GRIT goes beyond improving tennis skills—it’s about building resilience, ambition, and confidence. In partnership with Queen IAm, an organization committed to empowering, enriching, and educating young women, GRIT offers workshops that strengthen self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership. 

GRIT officially kicked off in February with the generous support of the Cavaliers Community Foundation and USTA Northeastern Ohio, to help celebrate and elevate women in sports. Guest speakers have included professionals from ESPN, Senior VPs from U.S. Bank, and retired WTA tennis players—each sharing their wisdom and experience to motivate the next generation.

The first workshop of 2025, Serving Up Confidence, targeted activities to encourage girls to take risks and approach challenges with confidence. There are five workshops planned in total: they blend tennis instruction with character development themes that promote social-emotional learning (SEL).  The next, Sisterhood and Sportsmanship, will take place in May and will focus on how to win and lose gracefully as well as support each other on and off the courts in order to build a culture of sisterhood around tennis.

The remaining workshops in the series include: Learning the Value of GRIT and Resilience, and Fostering a Positive Body Image. These sessions will emphasize mutual respect, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. Girls will be encouraged to celebrate one another’s successes, support each other through challenges, and experience the power of unity and friendship in achieving shared goals.

To read more about GRIT or upcoming workshops CLICK HERE.   

You can help fund programs like GRIT.   Help MTEF offer girls more opportunities like this.   

DONATE HERE

In tennis, when the court changes, great players adjust their game, and that’s exactly what the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) is doing in 2025.

Historically, the USTA Foundation’s annual essay contest welcomed a wide range of youth participants, including younger players in elementary and middle school. This year, with the national contest focusing on high school students, MTEF saw a unique opportunity: to create a space where younger voices in the Midwest could continue to grow, reflect, and share their stories.

The result is the 2025 USTA/MTEF NJTL Essay Contest, open to all NJTL participants in grades 3–8 across the USTA Midwest section.

This year’s theme invites students to reflect on perseverance:

“Everyone faces tough times sometimes. Think of a moment when something didn’t go your way or was really hard for you. What did you learn from it, and how did it help you grow or become stronger?”

The contest isn’t just about writing, it’s about empowerment! It gives younger athletes a chance to express themselves, think critically, and share lessons they’ve learned both on and off the court.

Essays will be judged on creativity, clarity, connection to the theme, and grammar appropriate to grade level. Submissions must be typed or neatly handwritten, entirely original, and turned in by July 11, 2025. The winner will be announced on July 21.

And the prize? A well-earned celebration:

  • Four tickets to the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, August 7 (day & evening sessions)
  • A two-night stay at Great Wolf Lodge in a KidKamp Suite
  • Water park passes for the whole family
  • Parking pass included
    (Note: Transportation is not included)

Essays can be submitted online at qrco.de/MTEFEssay.

“We’re excited to shine a spotlight on our younger players,” said Zoy Brown, Midwest NJTL Director. “They’re creative and have meaningful stories to tell. This essay contest is one way we can help them grow mentally on and off the court.”

Have questions? Contact Zoy Brown at (317) 669-0443 or zoy@midwest.usta.com.

It’s an honored tradition each spring to kick off the National NJTL Essay Contest, a celebration of young voices from across the country. Over the past five years, the USTA/Midwest Section has proudly had several students selected as national winners, a true testament to the incredible work our NJTL leaders are doing in their communities. Their commitment to uplifting and empowering youth through tennis and education continues to shine through in the stories these young writers share.    

2021    Brooklyn Burke              Todd Martin Youth Leadership

        (10 & Under Division)

2022    Sanai McBride               Love to Serve

                  (13-14 Division)

2023    Ayianna Jenkins-Cain    Opportunity Tennis Academy      

       (15-16 Division)

2024    Chase Myers                 Opportunity Tennis Academy

       (12 & Under Division)

This Year’s Question:

Getting through tough times reveals the true character of a champion. Reflect on a time when you experienced a challenge, setback, or failure. What lessons did you learn, and how did the experience shape your personal growth?

Deadline to Submit:

All essays must be submitted by Sunday, June 8, 2025.

The Prize:

Eight national winners (one male and one female in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade) will receive an unforgettable paid trip to New York City, August 19-23, 2025!

This year, we are once again encouraging all eligible Midwest NJTL high school participants to take part in the contest and share their unique perspectives. Whether it’s overcoming obstacles, demonstrating leadership, or reflecting on lessons learned through tennis, their voices matter, and this platform gives them the opportunity to be heard. We can’t wait to see the creativity, heart, and determination that our Midwest youth will bring to this year’s entries.

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