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Edderek Cole: National Arthur Ashe Essay Contest Winner

How would you feel if you received a letter like this?

Hi Edderek,
On behalf of the USTA Foundation and the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL), we’d like to say congratulations on winning the
2016 Arthur Ashe Essay Contest! Due to the outstanding essay you
wrote through your local NJTL Chapter, you have been awarded a trip
for two to New York City (August 26-28, 2016) and will be guests
in the USTA President’s Suite at the 2016 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day,
presented by Hess. In addition to accommodations at the Grand Hyatt NYC, your activities will include a Broadway show, a special luncheon
in your honor hosted by former Mayor David Dinkins. Congratulations
again on your incredible accomplishment and we look forward
to meeting you soon!
Best,
Greg

Gregory Frias: Manager, Programs & Services/NJTL
USTA Foundation Incorporated
70 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604
 
For Edderek Cole, also known as Chip, this was a trip of a lifetime! Chip is one of ten youngsters from across the country that were selected from more than 2,800 entries as an Arthur Ashe Essay Contest winner! 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. The contest question was how lessons learned on the tennis court can help development and character off the courts. "This year’s Arthur Ashe Essay contest winners consist of a talented group of students from some of our most outstanding NJTL programs,” said Dan Faber, USTA Foundation executive director. “We expanded the focus of our essay question and challenged the students to reflect on the great achievements of Althea Gibson. This year’s responses were some of the most phenomenal ones we’ve read as they truly highlighted their individual experiences and personal strengths as a result of the positive impact tennis has had on their lives. We are proud of their hard work.”

Saturday was the most eventful day because the kids participated in the Arthur Ashe Kid's Day at the US Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.  They were guests in the USTA President's Suite, and watched a concert featuring Flo Rida, Jordan Fisher (singer/ song writer/Disney Channel actor) and Troye Sivan (Australian singer/song writer/actor).  Chip participated in an interview about his essay that will be featured on the Tennis Channel.  He also met a former Mayor of
New York, David Dinkins, former heavy weight boxing champion ,Mike Tyson, and 2016 US gold/silver medal swimmer Simone Emanuel while at the event. He watched Rafael Nadal during a practice match and watched Venus Williams and 2016 Puerto Rican gold medal tennis player Monica Puig hit in a charity event for NJTL chapters and other charities.
Sunday included lunch at the Yale Club, more interviews, acceptance speeches from the winners, more pictures and the receipt of the actual award for the essay.  US Tennis Foundation board members participated in the luncheon including former college tennis champion James Blake who is the CEO of the US Tennis Foundation. Former Mayor Dinkins spoke at the luncheon as well.
Chip is an eleven year old 6th grader at St. Richard Elementary School in Jackson.  He is a high honor roll student (receives all A’s consistently) and has been the recipient of the 3rd grade reading and the 5th grade science awards for maintaining the highest average in his respective class section.  He also serves as an acolyte at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  While he’s often described as quiet, thoughtful and generous, Edderek brandishes a fierce competitive spirit whenever he plays sports or games.  He always plays to win; never allowing a friend or family member to win because of the relationship or family bond.   If you beat him, you earned it fair and square.  Edderek’s interests and hobbies include playing soccer and tennis, creating Lego worlds and characters and drawing and playing video games.  Edderek’s maternal grandfather, better known as G-Dad, introduced him to tennis at Tennis Center South’s Summer Tennis and Enrichment Camp when he was 6 years old; and he has continued to play at the same tennis camp every summer.  When he was 8, his G-Dad would pick him up from school every Wednesday to hit tennis balls against the inside walls of Edderek’s great grandmother’s garage, at times certainly to her dismay.  She never complained though.  Now at age 11, he has become one of the best players in the camp in his age group under the watchful tutelage of his G-Dad who serves as his coach and mentor and he is headed to New York City! Congratulations Edderek and we hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

Winning Essay

    Conflict resolution, good sportsmanship, practicing and dealing with racial differences
are skills that I have learned on the tennis court. These skills have impacted the
the development of my character and how I address personal challenges on and
off the court in many ways.

    I have learned conflict resolution on the tennis court. Instead of arguing about
points with opponents, I have learned to discuss the matter. If there is a play that
no one understands, we either replay the point or come to an agreement. When
similar situations happen at school with my classmates, instead of arguing and
fighting, I try to resolve the problem by discussing the matter.

    Playing tennis has taught me to be a good sport. Whether I win or lose the match, I always shake my opponent’s hand and thank him for playing. While playing other
sports, I show respect for my opponents just like I do on the tennis court.
To get good at a shot or serve, you have to do it over and over again. Playing
tennis has taught me to practice the things I want to improve. If I have difficulty
with a subject at school, I practice by doing my homework and asking for extra
practice work.

    Tennis has taught me how to deal with being a minority on the court. Often, I am the
only African American player on the court. Most of the time, the crowd is all white
and is cheering for my opponent. I have learned not to be bothered by that. I have
learned to motivate myself and just play my best. I am also a minority student at my school.

    Just as I do on the court, I don’t let that bother me. I motivated myself to do my
best at school.  My tennis skills have impacted and will continue to impact the development of character and how I address personal challenges. It is clear to me that the skills that I develop on the tennis court are also skills that I can use in life.

Edderek Cole

 

 

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