Zorriana Johnson graduated this year from St. Vincent Ferrer High School and will be attending Manhattan College in the fall. In June, she was one of 10 NYJTL scholar athletes awarded a $5,000 Marian and Jacob K. Javits Foundation Public Service Scholarship. In this essay, Zorriana explains how her experiences as a NYJTL participant demonstrate her extraordinary ambition as a scholar athlete.
By Zorriana Johnson
I have been in NYJTL for at least three years now and I can honestly say they have been my family since the first day I joined the program. The opportunities they provide are beyond exceptional and the coaching and mentorship have put me on a path to becoming a better scholar athlete.
Last year during my junior year of high school I tore my ACL and was unable to take part in practice for six to seven months. However they still kept in contact with me through the whole process and even offered me a free SAT class. After that my score for the test became better than it was before. And since I was still recovering from my injury I was unable to play for the Mayors Cup but it didn’t stop me from volunteering my time with the tournament. After that I was able to represent them in the Arthur Ashe Contest for the Girls 18’s and meet the Mayor David Dinkins for Arthur Ashe kid’s day. Or even the group trips to meet the representatives of the Emirates Company, and tennis pros that can give us advice on becoming better players and to evolve our game.
These past three years have truly been a roller-coaster but as I look at all the mentors and coaches that have taught me for the past three years and my teammates that I practice with, I am truly proud and blessed to be a part of something great. Each individual that I meet in the program can help me to learn, grow and mature into a better individual and athlete. While pushing me to become the best Zorriana Johnson possible and through all my experiences and the maturity I have acquired I can honestly say that I never regret any moment in my life because this program has taught me that each moment we have in life should be lived to the fullest.
This summer, NYJTL is holding its annual series of carnivals for a special population of students.
This past Friday, the first carnival was held on the tennis courts at the Robert F. Wagner Middle School MS 167 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The event drew more than 300 students from eight schools in the borough.
The Manhattan event will be followed by similar NYJTL carnivals in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx later this month. Special population students – thousands in total – will take part in the events in their boroughs.
On Friday, students enjoyed a series of games focused on tennis – and all won a prize (crayons, shoulder bags, toys and more). AriZona® and PepsiCo sponsored the event – so everyone enjoyed a free drink to cool off, too!
“Children and teenagers have enjoyed these carnivals for more than a decade,” said Scott Daly, Senior Manager, Community Tennis. “We always experience an amazing turnout, and students have fun while learning. That’s what we’re all about!”
Dancing. Dining. Gondola Rides. Magicians. And so much more!
On Wednesday, August 12th, New York Junior Tennis & Learning will hold its annual Summer Gala with the Stars at The Boathouse in Central Park. The annual event draws hundreds of attendees from the young corporate community (and attendance topped 500 last year!).
The event raises funds to support NYJTL’s programs and make a difference in the lives of children across New York City.
This year’s benefit is chaired by Jacqueline Corba, Sumit Nihalani and Brian O’Connor, and will include amazing raffles (including tickets donated by Delta), a silent auction, tarot readings, magicians, caricaturists, and much more.
So mark your calendars for a fun mid-summer celebration – for a good cause!
Last week the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Crotona Park. The $26.5 million state of the art sports and education center will touch the lives of an estimated 30,000 South Bronx students in one of the poorest Congressional districts in the United States. As Bronx residents visit the Center for the first time, they may wonder, ‘Who was Cary Leeds?’
Cary was a star tennis player, and a graceful, charismatic, and attractive young man. He was once voted the most handsome male player on the professional circuit. He played tennis for Yale, competed in six US Opens and five Wimbledon championships, and at the height of his career, was the 12th ranked doubles player in the world. After he left the circuit, he continued to play tennis and was ranked number two in the nation in the over forty singles classification. He spent the rest of his life fluctuating between business and teaching young players the game of tennis before passing away in 2003 at age 45.
Cary was also my son. It is sad day when parents out live their progeny, and thus it was with my wife Dalia and myself. In the years since Cary’s passing, Dalia and I developed a strong desire – which became a passion – to make sure that our son’s life would be remembered in a way that would make the world a better place.
New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) co-founder Skip Hartman, who helped coach Cary at age thirteen, had the idea that we build The Cary Leeds Center. NYJTL, now known as New York Junior Tennis & Learning, has a mission focused on children, tennis, and education – three areas that were central to Cary’s life. NYJTL is uniquely qualified to manage the Center’s programming under the guidance of President and CEO Deborah Antoine, herself a fine tennis player.
The completion of the Cary Leeds Center marks the culmination of a decade-long intensive effort. The fundraising has been a public-private endeavor with over 530 private donors whose individual contributions ranged from one hundred dollars to several millions of dollars. The Mayor’s Office, the City Council and the Bronx Borough President’s Office contributed mightily to our cause. The project is a testament to the magnificent results that are possible when government and the private sector work together for the common good
Dalia and I were amazed by how many of Cary’s friends rushed to contribute once plans for the Center were announced. These friends joined with our family to strive to memorialize Cary’s life. As a result, thousands of young Bronx residents will benefit from the joint character building experiences of tennis and education. Thus our dream is being fulfilled by these wonderful experiences that so many children will have as a result of Cary’s legacy. If Cary could look down from heaven he would be so very proud and honored.
The event – a testament to the value of public-private partnerships – is expected to drew hundreds of supporters from the worlds of tennis, fashion, government and civic engagement to the stunning new facility at 1720 Crotona Avenue in Crotona Park in the Bronx.
Expected to attend are NYJTL Board Chairman Martin S. Goldberg, NYJTL President and CEO Deborah Antoine, Founder and Chairman Emeritus Lewis “Skip” Hartman, Project Campaign Chairs Larry Leeds and Tory Kiam, New York City’s 106th Mayor David Dinkins, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, local, city and state officials, community leaders, and many more.
The $26.5 million Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning has been decades in the making, and a testament to the longstanding commitment of public and private partners to create a center that will touch the lives of an estimated 30,000 students in the South Bronx.
Conceptually, the venue is designed as a series of platforms—both for viewing tennis, from beginner to professional level, and metaphorically a platform to encourage afterschool learning—a project to create the opportunity for inner-city kids to experience success on the tennis court as well as in life.
The Center is a tribute to Cary Leeds, a star on Yale’s tennis team who went on to become a world-ranked player (ranking #12 in doubles), competing in six U.S. Opens and five Wimbledon tournaments, where in 1981 he reached the semifinals in mixed doubles. After retiring from professional tennis, he attended business school and then co-founded a software company, all while enthusiastically teaching tennis to gifted youngsters until he passed away in 2003.
“Cary Leeds loved teaching the sport, especially to young players,” said Cary’s father, Larry Leeds, who served as Project Campaign Co-Chair. “As a place where children of all backgrounds will access tennis and educational opportunities, the Center will be a fitting memorial to Cary’s life and will make the world a better place, because he was here.”
Designed and constructed by GLUCK+ with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the Cary Leeds Center will house a two-story, 12,000-square-foot clubhouse and educational facility, with two world-class exhibition courts and 20 outdoor courts, 10 of which will be indoors seasonally under air structures. The building and stadium courts are partially buried as a strategy to minimize the impact of a large structure in the park and also to take advantage of natural geothermal heating and cooling of below ground surfaces. Courtside, the lower level opens directly onto the two sunken exhibition courts. It will serve as the flagship home for NYJTL coaches and tutors and provide free year-round instruction and play for young people as well as a regional facility for competition and recreational tennis.
The Center – located in the 127-acre Crotona Park – will serve children in one of the poorest Congressional districts in the United States, offering more than 6,000 free court hours for community use and providing space for educators to help young people improve their performance in school.
“This location dovetails with our mission to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court,” said NYJTL CEO and President Deborah Antoine. “We’re deeply committed to serving young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn and play tennis, which is especially important in low-income communities.”
“This complex public-private tennis project in the heart of the South Bronx will positively impact so many young lives,” said Founder and Chairman Emeritus Lewis “Skip” Hartman. “That will quickly overshadow and make us forget the 15 long years it took to locate, fundraise, build, and organize the operations of this fabulous facility. ”
“Crotona Park is already known for its lofty trees and tranquil lake,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. “Now, thanks to a partnership with New York Junior Tennis & Learning, we are thrilled to add a world-class tennis center to this flagship park. The new facility will provide free, year round programming for young people, and expand recreational opportunities for everyone in the Bronx, whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time, or already serving aces.”
“Of the many ideas and projects that Skip Hartman has put forward to improve the lives and experiences of our city’s children, including the founding of the New York Junior Tennis League, his perseverance in developing the Leeds Center over these long years, has got to be among the greatest things he has done,” said former Mayor David Dinkins. “I am thrilled to have been part of this project’s evolution and share in its opening day.”
“We are honored to have been a partner with this important organization, designing and building for the future of our city,” said Peter Gluck, Founder and Principal at GLUCK+. “The building is designed as a series of platforms: for viewing tennis from multiple vantage points, as a launching point for young players into the world of competitive tennis, and as a metaphor for the educational program providing young students opportunities to succeed in a supportive environment.”
NYJTL is naming the new clubhouse after sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King. The clubhouse will contain classrooms, the youth lounge and fitness center, and a technology center, the Tennis Channel Learning Lab.
“New York Junior Tennis and Learning’s new Cary Leeds Center is rooted in a great cause, promoting the love of tennis and healthy exercise in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in our country,” said Billie Jean King. “NYJTL strives to build champions on and off the court, and I fully expect this new venue to not only foster a deep appreciation of tennis and education in this community but to make a difference in the lives of so many.”
“The new Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is a great example of a community’s commitment to its greatest assets: its children,” said Jorge Montalvo, Deputy Secretary for Economic Opportunity for the State of New York. “As a graduate of the NYJTL, I know this facility will provide tremendous educational and fitness opportunities and help shape kids to become well-rounded individuals. I congratulate everyone who made this possible.”
“The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is a project I am incredibly proud of,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. “This is a transformative development not just for the surrounding community but for the entire Bronx, and that is why I have provided $2 million of my own capital funding towards its completion. Projects such as this are helping to make the Bronx a new center for sports and athletics, while also offering our youth new recreation opportunities that they both need and deserve. New York Junior Tennis & Learning has served up an ace with this new project.”
“Nothing enhances the Bronx District Attorney’s Office’s mission of combatting crime more than efforts which keep young people on the path to productive lives,” said Robert Johnson, Bronx County District Attorney. “The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning will improve classroom performance, promote physical fitness, make constructive use of afterschool time, teach healthy competition, and create fun experiences for students. I couldn’t welcome it more.”
In addition to the 20 adjacent tennis courts (10 outdoor and 10 covered in winter for year-round play) and two-story clubhouse, the Cary Leeds Center also will be home to two exhibition courts – the Victor Kiam exhibition court and The Pershing Square Foundation exhibition court – with stadium seating for 1,000 people; this final component will be completed during the project’s final phase in 2016.
NYJTL thanks the Kiam and Leeds families, Bill and Karen Ackman and The Pershing Square Foundation, Billie Jean King, and the numerous other donors who donated to create the Center.
NYJTL is the fourth largest provider of after school services in New York City, and serves 75,000 children a year through its programs and services at 84 locations throughout the city. The Center will offer a variety of programs for adults throughout the indoor (October to April) and outdoor (April to October) seasons, such as Cardio Tennis, Learn and Play, Private & Group Lessons, and League Competitions. Hourly court rentals also will be available, and senior discounts will be offered.
Additionally, the Center will bring new energy and financial vitality to the South Bronx by featuring major local, national, and international professional tennis tournaments that will draw visitors from around the world.
The Cary Leeds Center was designed and built by GLUCK+, which received the 30th Annual Award for Excellence in Design by the New York City Public Design Commission under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
Named by Fast Company as one of the top 10 most innovative companies in architecture in 2014, GLUCK+ has been recognized for their unique approach to Architect Led Design Build: single-source responsibility with architects leading the building process. The same team works on the entire building project, from design to construction, helping elevate quality and reduce cost for the client, while linking creativity and responsibility.
NYJTL talked with GLUCK+ founder and principal, Peter Gluck, about the project and its impact on the Bronx.
Conceptually, the project is designed as a series of platforms—both for viewing tennis, from the beginner to professional level, and metaphorically a platform to encourage afterschool learning – a project to create the opportunity for inner city kids to experience success on the tennis court as well as in life.
How would you describe GLUCK+’s approach to the Center?
We have partnered with New York Junior Tennis & Learning now for over 10 years. Our goal has always been to facilitate the best possible use of their resources from the point of view of cost, design, and programmatic use.
What “green” elements did you incorporate into the structure?
The building is partially buried. It is a strategy to minimize the impact of a large structure in the park, and also to take advantage of natural geothermal heating and cooling on below ground surfaces.
What would you say is the defining element of the structure?
It is all about viewing, playing, and learning.
What were some – if any – of the challenges to create the 12,000-square-foot facility at this location?
Many challenges—best managed by our single-source provision of both the design and construction, which provides agile, immediate responses to those challenges that cross all aspects of any complicated project.
What are some interesting features that visitors should look out for?
Opportunities to view tennis from multiple vantage points, multi-functional spaces to accommodate the venue’s programs, naturally daylit spaces, bold design elements.
Expected to attend are NYJTL Board Chairman Martin S. Goldberg, NYJTL President and CEO Deborah Antoine, Founder and Chairman Emeritus Lewis “Skip” Hartman, Project Campaign Chairs Larry Leeds and Tory Kiam, New York City’s 106th Mayor David Dinkins, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, local, city and state officials, community leaders, and many more.
“We are honored to have been a partner with this important organization, designing and building for the future of our city,” said Peter Gluck, Founder and Principal at GLUCK+. “The building is designed as a series of platforms: for viewing tennis from multiple vantage points, as a launching point for young players into the world of competitive tennis, and as a metaphor for the educational program providing young students opportunities to succeed in a supportive environment.”
“The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is a project I am incredibly proud of,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. “This is a transformative development not just for the surrounding community but for the entire Bronx, and that is why I have provided $2 million of my own capital funding towards its completion. Projects such as this are helping to make the Bronx a new center for sports and athletics, while also offering our youth new recreation opportunities that they both need and deserve. New York Junior Tennis & Learning has served up an ace with this new project.”