Congratulations to teacher Christy Neff and University Park Elementary School for a fabulous 2011-12 school year. At University Park, Christy says that 675 students had tennis in P.E. and 200 of them were also involved after school with a Kids’ Tennis Club and JTT. The University Park tennis equipment loan center that USTA Maryland helped set up supports16 other schools with 8100 students able to receive tennis in P.E.
“On behalf of my colleagues and myself in Region 5 of Prince George's County Public Schools, I would like to say thank you to USTA Maryland for assisting us with a tennis loan center. Having tennis equipment available for individual schools to borrow is critical in promoting the game of tennis.
The loan center is pivotal in providing access to tennis for students in lower socio-economic communities. As one of my students said, ‘I thought tennis was something that only rich people could play. I didn't even know there were tennis courts that I could use in my neighborhood. Now I'm saving my money to buy my own racket!’
That's what the tennis loan center does for our students, it opens up a whole new world for them. Your generosity of spirit and resources makes that possible.
‘Thank you’ seems like too small a word for the gift of opportunity that you have given to our students. With a grateful heart,” -- Christy Neff