USTA Eastern Announces Honorees for 2011 Junior Awards Luncheon

Jan. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- White Plains, NY – On Jan. 29, USTA Eastern will recognize 22 outstanding students for their sportsmanship and their appreciation of Arthur Ashe’s legacy at the section’s 2011 Junior Awards Luncheon. The luncheon, which begins at noon, will be held at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in White Plains, NY and is part of USTA Eastern’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Development Workshop, Jan. 28-29.

   The sportsmanship awards will be presented to eight Eastern juniors for the respect and fair play they showed at tournaments all year long. The section will also honor the 12 winners of the USTA Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest, who were asked to write an essay or draw a picture on what they thought was Arthur Ashe’s greatest accomplishment.

   “These kids are not just players and fans of tennis,” said Julie Bliss, Director of Competition and Player Development for USTA Eastern. “They truly understand that what matters the most is not whether you win or lose, but how you compete and what you learn that will help you throughout life.”

   At the luncheon, USTA Eastern will also give out awards for parent sportsmanship and tournament director of the year, and present the Henry Benisch Award, a college scholarship given on behalf of the Eastern Junior Tennis Foundation. The award was established by friends and relatives in memory of USTA Eastern Past President, Henry Benisch.  
   
   This year, USTA Eastern’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Development Workshop is entitled “Serving Aces,” and will feature workshops on writing grant applications and running USTA-sanctioned tournaments. There will also be a high school coaches workshop and a special session on the USTA’s 10 and Under Tennis initiative.

   To register for the meeting or the luncheon, visit www.eastern.usta.com.

2010 JUNIOR AWARDS

Richard D. Lynch II Boys' and Girls' 12 Sportsmanship Award: Sean Patrick, Sabrina Barisano

E. Hawley Van Wyck, Jr. Boys' 14 Sportsmanship Award: Cameron Daniels

Edith Martin Girls' 14 Sportsmanship Award: Victoria Zoha

Lawrence A. Miller Boys' 16 Sportsmanship Award: Jonathan Carcione

Lawrence A. Miller Girls' 16 Sportsmanship Award: Kelly Williford

Lt. Frederick M. Scribner, Jr. Boys' 18 Sportsmanship Award: Winston Lin

Edith Martin Girls' 18 Sportsmanship Award: Leighann Sahagun

Henry Benisch Scholarship Award: Analee Delgado

Ron Smyth Parent Sportsmanship Award: Stacey Mullins

Tournament Director of the Year: Scott Axler

USTA ARTHUR ASHE ESSAY CONTEST WINNER:

Girls 11-12: Isis Gill-Reid

USTA EASTERN ARTHUR ASHE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS:

Boys 10 and Under: Calvin Semczuk,  

Girls 10 and Under: Jayla Speller

Boys 11-12: Jonathan Pesantez

Girls 11-12:  Isis Gill-Reid

Boys  13-14: Kevin Huynh    

Girls 13-14: Lydia Nieto      

Boys 15-16: Brian Orellana  

Girls 15-16: Ashley Masanto  

Boys 17-18: Alfredo Colon  

USTA ARTHUR ASHE ART CONTEST WINNERS:

Girls 10 & Under: Clara Kim

Boys 10 & Under: Kvah Khant

Girls 11-12: Joshua Hidalgo

Boys 11-12: Joshua Ocasio

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The USTA Eastern Section, based in White Plains, New York, is a not-for-profit community service organization whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis. The section encompasses all of New York State, Northern New Jersey and Greenwich, Connecticut. It is one of 17 geographic sections of the United States Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the United States, and supports more than 49,000 members. The section also establishes and maintains rules of fair play, high standards of sportsmanship and represents, in its jurisdiction, the programs and policies of the USTA. More information about the USTA Eastern section is available by visiting: www.eastern.usta.com.