Last week, tennis greats, celebrities, tennis fans and players came together to celebrate the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) at its 52nd annual gala. Young players from the program, including graduating seniors, were also on hand, even showing off their skills on the small court placed at the center of the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan.
“This program has done so much for me. It’s helped me grow, not only as an athlete but also as a person. It’s taught me how to discipline myself by figuring out how to manage my time while playing competitive tennis and attending school. This is a second family for me,” said senior Eliasar Gonzalez, who has participated in HJTEP since the fifth grade. In the fall, Gonzalez will begin at the University of Dayton, and plans to try out to be a walk-on with the tennis team.
Long-time HJTEP coach Brian Spigner echoed the sentiment about the family atmosphere. “It’s a beautiful network,” he said. “I can give back to the community.” Coach Love Moore praised the individualized attention that participants receive, on and off the court. “I’m so honored to be a part of it,” Moore said.
While showing their on-court moves, HJTEP participants wore t-shirts that bore the organization’s acronym and the words honesty, journey, tenacity, excellence, perseverance. Lana Waterman, 16, has been with HJTEP for almost 10 years. “It really is a community,” she said. Lana and twin sister Lena both hope to attend Howard University and play on the tennis team. “I love going to practice four days a week,” said Lena. “When I think about winning tournaments in tennis, it makes me want to do better in school and get an A on a test.”
In addition to raising money, HJTEP also gave out awards that recognized impact on the organization. Hall of Fame tennis player Stan Smith received the Shining Star Award. Upon accepting, Smith shared information from the late Arthur Ashe Jr. about the importance of education. The James R. Kelly III Chairman’s Award honored vocal HJTEP supporter Michelle Blake-Wilson. The HJTEP Corporate Award was presented to Johnson & Johnson MedTech, which has supported the organization for more than a decade.