Top row, left to right: Andres Martin, Nathan Zou, Beleil Lamb, Jesse Simpson, Keri Quillin.
Bottom row, left to right: Bleake Mitchell, Katharine Pietkiewicz, Joyah Mitchell, Michelle Wilson, Temperance Sanders.
Andres Martin
Flowery Branch, GA
High School: Connections Academy
Honors and Activities
- Highest ranking in the Southern Section- #1
- Member of the 18s National Team
- Currently ranked in the Nation’s Top 25
- Gold ball in Winter Nationals Doubles 18s
- Jalisco ITF G4 champion
College: Georgia Tech
Major Area of Study: Industrial Engineering
Essay excerpt: My family never had much money, especially for tennis, so I would have to do whatever I could to make money including: wash windows, mow grass, or create raffles. These instilled hard work and motivation for me to do more. The community has helped me persevere as a tennis player by helping me with tournaments throughout my life. Therefore, in the nearby future when I have the chance, I will give back and change the world for the better.
Nathan Zou
Murfreesboro, TN
High School: Central Magnet School
Honors and Activities
- National Honor Society
- Vice President of Youth in Government
- Governor’s School of Science & Engineering at University of Tennessee
- Tennessee State Singles Champion (First in School History)
- Buddy Up Tennis Volunteer with kids who have Down’s Syndrome
College: California Institute of Technology
Major Area of Study: Chemical Engineering
Essay excerpt: Elected unanimously as my high school team captain after coming back from a stress fracture in my back, I led my team to the first State Final Four in school history. I’ve also returned to compete in high level USTA events. Meanwhile, I decided to pursue a career in chemical engineering and play tennis in college. Although it took a lot of courage to accept the situation I was in, I learned that some of the greatest, most unexpected discoveries result from perseverance.
Beleil Lamb
Augusta, GA
High School: A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School
Honors and Activities
- Student Council President
- Boys and Girls Clubs of CSRA Youth of the Year
- National Honor Society
- Varsity Tennis – Most Valuable Player
- NJTL Mach Academy Graduate
College: Howard University
Major Area of Study: Chemical Engineering
Essay excerpt: This journey has taught me so much. It’s taught me dedication, hard work, and resilience. It’s made me more active in my job, more compassionate with the kids I tutor, and more determined with my studies.
Jesse Simpson
Greensboro, NC
High School: James B. Dudley High School
Honors and Activities
- Eagle Scout
- National Honor Society
- Future Leaders of America
- Greensboro Tennis Foundation NJTL Graduate
- Tennis Balls For Chairs Project – 10,000 Balls for Dudley High School classrooms
College: North Carolina A&T University
Major Area of Study: Computer Science
Essay excerpt: Tennis and education influence my life in countless positive ways. Both continuously provide me fundamentals I call my life laws that I utilize daily. They include commitment, confidence, dedication, hard work, honesty, intellect, perseverance and respect, premises for me to succeed. All of which contribute to the caliber of my character and fuels me to be self-motivated and positive.
Keri Quillin
Atlanta, GA
High School: Whitefield Academy
Honors and Activities
- Coan CTA Stephanie McLoyd Award
- Varsity Tennis Team Captain
- Cornerstone Award of Character
- Miss Wolfpack, Spring Homecoming Queen
- Coan Tennis Association NJTL Graduate
College: Hampton University
Major Area of Study: Biology/ Pre-Med
Essay excerpt: Playing tennis has made me the confident leader that I am today. Having played for several tennis organizations, I have met incredible individuals who stressed the importance of giving my all to everything I do on and off the court. Because of the fearlessness and focus I have acquired from tennis I am able to be confident and comfortable serving as a leader.
Blaeke Mitchell
Orange Beach, AL
High School: First Assembly of God Christian School Robertsdale
Honors and Activities
- Sportsmanship Award Alabama Jr. Fall Hard Court- Mobile
- Sportsmanship Award Icy Hot USTA Southern Level 2 10-24-16
- Alabama Tennis Family of the Year
- Christian Service
- Christian Leadership
College: Campbellsville University
Major Area of Study: Business Administration
Essay excerpt: Tennis has taught me about dedication and hard work. Playing tennis has helped strengthen my character. I try to set an example for my siblings and others by showing them that if they work hard and use good character, that they will succeed in life. Tennis taught me to continue to fight for my goals, even when there are setbacks. Without tennis, my five siblings and I would not be able to afford to go to a university.
Katharine Pietkiewicz
Brookhaven, GA
High School: Chamblee Charter High School
Honors and Activities
- Girl Scout (Gold, Silver and Bronze Award Recipient)
- Tennis Team Varsity Captain
- National Honor Society
- International Club Member
- Most Valuable Player – Chamblee High School
College: Georgia Tech
Major Area of Study: Communications
Essay excerpt: I can’t remember life without tennis…by participating in USTA tournaments and team tennis I have made incredible lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. Perhaps most importantly, tennis has taught me valuable skills such as perseverance, grit, and focus that I will use through college and in my career.
Joyah Mitchell
Atlanta, GA
High School: Charles R. Drew Charter School
Honors and Activities
- National Honor Society
- Honor Roll with Distinction
- Georgia State University Anthropology Intern
- Georgia State Tennis Championship
- Team Blue NJTL Graduate
College: Georgia Southern University
Major Area of Study: Anthropology
Essay excerpt: Tennis and education are two things not commonly associated with each other. However, I associate them together because of what they have taught me throughout my school career. Perseverance. It’s a big word that simply means, “don’t give up when things get tough”. Tennis and education have taught me that no good can come from quitting, but if I persevere, I can still learn something new from a match or a problem.
Michelle Wilson
Sevierville, TN
High School: Pigeon Forge High School
Honors and Activities
- Alabama Open Women’s A Singles Champion
- Attendee at the Adaptive Sports of Social Change Program in Thailand
- US Open USTA Women’s Singles Champion
- Good Will Ambassador- East TN Children’s Hospital
- Newest Member of Team USA: Wheelchair Tennis
College: University of Arizona
Major Area of Study: Psychology
Essay excerpt: I saw my future having tennis in it, but needing to have my right leg amputated due to a cancerous tumor was a heartbreak. I thought my future playing tennis in college was over. It wasn’t until my father found wheelchair tennis that I had felt like I found a piece of my life I had lost. I aspire to take what I learned from my struggles with cancer and losing my leg and all the teaching from school, and use it to help as many children I can through their own fight.
Temperance Sanders
Ladson, SC
High School: Fort Dorchester High
Honors and Activities
- Mock Trial Team District Champion
- USTA Southern Arthur Ashe Essay Contest Winner
- #1 seed in High School Tennis three years in row
- City of Charleston Courting Kids NJTL Graduate
- Theater Productions (Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Alice in Wonderland)
College: Winthrop University
Major Area of Study: Law
Essay excerpt: USTA programs have taught me many lessons such as being physically in shape, like how conditioning is key when trying to be the best player you can be; and also mental aspects, such as not worrying about the score because anyone has the capability t come back and win. Tennis is a life-long sport that I will continue to play for a long time.