JUNE 18TH: PRO/AM, BJK USTA NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY 

  

Thank you to HJTEP Parents Association for putting together another wonderful & exciting Holiday Party. We appreciate all that you do :) 

  

  

HJTEP offers free SAT Prep for all High School Juniors & Seniors...please inquire in the office

  

HJTEP youth competed and won 2nd place at The Legacy Tennis Competition in Philadelphia

  

We are conducting a 10 and Under workshop for HJTEP Parents in February/March

  

  

   

  

    

 

 

All Supporters, Foundations & Corporations    

Happy New Year all! We hope your holiday season was full of joy and family. With our 40th Anniversary in 2012 being a monumental and great celebration because of your support. We would like to share some of the "happenings" to kick start a great year of tennis, education and community. 

The staff and youth of The Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program in conjunction with FEMA Corps donated/volunteered thier services on Veteran's Day (11/12) in Breezy Point, NY, to assist those effected by Hurricane Sandy...please click here to see photos

HJTEP has entered it's second year of Junior Team Tennis (JTT). JTT is an exciting way for youth ages 10-17 years to compete without entering a tournament. It promotes team-work, sportsmanship and community within the junior tennis circuit. The different teams will play matches at The National Tennis Center (NTC) & The Harlem Armory every Saturday & Sunday. 

The National Junior Tennis and Learning Network is based off of the ideals and life of late Tennis Pro Arthur Ashe. HJTEP has been administering A.C.E.(Academic Creative Engagement) Curriculum as our education component for youth ages 8-12 years; as part of our Saturday programming. This structured program uses tennis as a vehicle to make learning fun. For example, they use the lines of the courts to teach Geometry. By using T.A.P (Think And Play) to keep the youth engaged, this is a learning process that is made up of 3 components SERVE-Motive(Engagement), RALLY-Hands-on (Creativity), and POINT-Develop (Academic).

  

This program is designed to help with basic math, reading and writing skills, while underlining the message of Life-Skills. They use the life of Arthur Ashe as a great example in the "Mentor Texts" to inspire and educate one about themselves. This provides them with a better understanding of self and the importance of community. HJTEP tutors and staff have attended numerous trainings and always leave fascinated by the innovative ways tennis can be incorporated into learning!!! We've partnered with PS 197 & Democracy Preparatory to incorporate A.C.E & tennis into there routine once a week. We look forward to introducing this curriculum to more schools and organization around Harlem. A.C.E. embodies what HJTEP is all about EDUCATION through TENNIS!!!

(left to right) Back row: Brian and Robert Spigner Middle row: Simone Spigner, Shayna Spooner, Geri Spigner, Danielle Spigner-Davis, Daniel Davis Front row: Donovon "DJ" Spigner, Hunter Davis

At this years USTA Eastern Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration on January 26th. The Spigner's were awarded "Family of the Year". The Spigners are a huge part of the HJTEP heart with the whole family involved in every aspect of our program. With the family consisting of HJTEP Alumni, coaches, current participants and life-long supporters of the program. It has been a great honor to have them. This honor shows how tennis brings, communities and families together to provide a pathway to greatness in Harlem.  

Watch out for him

Please.

Watch out for the boy who runs out onto the street

Right after school lets out.

Watch out for his smile,

The smile that shows his two missing front teeth that

Fell out when he was playing too rough.

Watch out for his feet

That are covered with scratches he received when life forced him down,

And yet he still manages to get back up and run faster.

" and no, mamma! Don't let him walk out that front door alone.

He's too young to know what it's like to walk into the real world by himself."

You're supposed to be protecting him,

Protecting his innocent brain from the negative energy that

Wonders throughout the air,

Forcing him to breathe it in,

Thinking that it's the only way he can survive.

You're supposed to watching out for his dreams

and his goal to make it big in the world.

You're supposed to squeeze, and squeeze,

and keep squeezing him tight

so that he can never ever leave your sight.

Your arms are supposed to keep him where he belongs.

And please, please, protect his soul.

His life is in your hands,

And if your eyes lose sight of him

It could take a second for him to disappear.

So please,

Watch out for my little brother.

 

About the Youth-Porter: Kiara is a 13 year old Advanced player at HJTEP. She attends Columbia Preparatory and maintains a B+ average. She loves to be on the court and

to be a Novelist.  

 

  

Thank you for reading another edition of Tennis Times. Please remember to Save the Date HJTEP 41st Celebrity Pro/Am & Dinner Gala June 17th-18th.

  

 

  

  
Katrina Adams
Executive Director