As the weather thaws, participants in the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) look forward to playing the sport they love outdoors. The organization that builds champions in tennis, education, and life is gearing up for its 53rd annual gala, which will take place on May 12th. Tennis legend Chris Evert will be honored with the Shining Star Award, and Morgan Stanley will receive the HJTEP Corporate Award.
While sports luminaries will be in attendance, the HJTEP participants will also take center stage, showcasing their skills and showing how the program has helped them develop self-esteem, educational achievement, sportsmanship, focus, social and emotional competence, and a solid focus on their futures. Participants range in age from five to 18.
“Usually, we start them at the age of five, and they stay in grassroots until about 12, depending on the kid, their development, and how they pick up the sport,” said Patricia Zapata, grassroots tennis director and coach.
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Zapata works with more advanced players as well. An alumna of the program, her participation led to a Division I athletic scholarship. After an extended break from tennis, a friend encouraged her to return to HJTEP as a coach. “I enjoyed working with the kids, I enjoyed being back on the court again, and here we are [12 years later],” she said. “I’m able to give back to kids.”
Justin Holmes, interim director of high-performance, is also an alum of HJTEP. “Had it not been for the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program, I would never have been introduced to the sport of tennis and really stuck with it,” said Holmes. He joined HJTEP at age eight, playing a couple of times a week. As he improved, his involvement deepened.
“As a kid of color, the way the program embraces you, it makes you feel like you’re surrounded by a community of people that care about you,” Holmes said. “I made lifelong friends. … It sticks out as a place you just want to be.”
HJTEP provided Holmes with opportunities to travel and compete. This led him and other program participants to see a bigger picture of the world. After college, he was drawn to coaching. “For me, being at Harlem Junior Tennis as a coach, it’s a privilege,” Holmes said. “This is a way of life. You want to do the best by everyone.”