Youth Development
Youth tennis development can be a transformative journey that not only nurtures a love for the sport, but also promotes essential life skills in young athletes. Tennis is more than just a game. It can be a platform for personal growth, physical fitness, and mental resilience.
HPTC is proud to be a recognized chapter of the United States Tennis Association Foundation’s National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network. NJTL supports nonprofit youth development organizations like HPTC by offering free or low-cost tennis and education programming to under-resourced youth each year.
Annual Scholarships
College/Educational
Each year, Pittsburgh Public Schools high school seniors are invited to apply for a HPTC Tennis Memorial 2023 Scholarship for High School Seniors. Scholarships are in the amount of $1,250 each, and are intended to convey our appreciation and support of the scholastic tennis community by helping to educate our future leaders.
2023 Essay Prompt: Many people are convinced that tennis instills confidence, character, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Do you agree that tennis develops these positive qualities? If so, how are these traits manifested in your life? Are there other skills or positive aspects gained from playing tennis? What are your dreams? What was the most important lesson you learned while playing tennis? Advice you would give to younger players.
Interested 2024 Applicants: HPTC provides the application packages to the Athletic Director of the Pittsburgh Public Schools by March 1st, with a deadline to complete the application by June 10th. Winners are notified by June 30th, and award presentation is typically the 3rd Saturday in July during the HPTC clinic party.
2024 Winner:
Aavin Mangalmurti - Obama High School
2023 Winners:
Evan Dine - Allderdice High School
Deniz Finkel - Allderdice High School
2022 Winner:
Aiden Forcucci - Carrick High School
2021 Winner:
Jade Chatman - Obama High School
2020 Winners:
David Missry - Allderdice High School
Lundyn White - Westinghouse High School
Tennis Development
Beginning in 2023, an HPTC Tennis Development Scholarship for the Junior Circuit was added to the awards.
2023 Essay Prompt: Many people are convinced that tennis instills confidence, character, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Do you agree that tennis develops these positive qualities? If so, how are these traits manifested in your life? Are there other skills or positive aspects gained from playing tennis? What are your dreams? What was the most important lesson you learned while playing tennis? Advice you would give to younger players.
2023 Winner:
Capri Butera - Age 11
Essay Contests
The USTA Foundation's National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network asks participants to write essays answering a thought-provoking question that requires research and analysis. This year’s 2023 essay contest focused on Althea Gibson, who said, “No matter what accomplishments you make, someone helped you.” With these words, Althea asks us to think about the people who have supported our efforts and achievements. Students were asked to reflect on the following:
In your own words, what does this quote mean?
Who from your NJTL chapter helped you?
How did they help you?
What impact has this made on your tennis skills and/or life?
