Tennis PALs recently announced that 9-year-old Kelly Mejia Solares has been named the national winner in her age division for the United States Tennis Association Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, sponsored by the National Junior Tennis & Learning Program.
As the winner, Solares was awarded a trip for two to New York City and was a guest in the president’s suite at the 2015 Arthur Ashe Kids Day. In addition to airfare and accommodations at the Grand Hyatt NYC, her activities included a Broadway show, a special luncheon in her honor hosted by former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and much more.
Tennis PALs teaches children how to transcend their circumstances and transform their lives through tennis. In conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Police Athletic League, the program teaches life skills, critical thinking skills and exposure to positive role models.
Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Palm Beach native Sheridan Snyder co-founded the National Junior Tennis & Learning Program.
Solares used her writing skills to tell how the Tennis PALs program has connected her with coaches and mentors. Solares is a student at the Delray-Boynton Beach campus, where the program has deeply impacted her life.
“We are very proud of Kelly and the young woman she is becoming and we want to congratulate her and her parents and teachers for being committed to our program,” Executive Director Sonny Maken said.
For more information, visit www.tennispalsfl.org.
ABOVE: Kelly Mejia Solares accepts her award from former NYC Mayor David Dinkins and other dignitaries.
