- Akeem Thompson Jr. and Kyle Sims-Francois from Alachua County Public Schools won the National Junior Tennis and Learning essay contest about leadership.
- Their prize included a trip to New York City for awards at the US Open Fan Week and participation in Stars of the Open events.
Two Alachua County Public Schools students were among eight young people recognized as winners of the annual National Junior Tennis and Learning essay contest sponsored by the United States Tennis Association Foundation and Deloitte.
According to an ACPS release, Akeem Thompson Jr. of Eastside High School and Kyle Sims-Francois of the Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School were honored during a special ceremony in New York City held during US Open Fan Week.
Their all-expenses-paid trip included sightseeing, a Broadway show, an awards luncheon at the Yale Club of New York City and participation in coin tosses for this year’s Stars of the Open event.
To enter the competition, students submitted essays responding to this year’s theme, “Be a Leader.” They were asked to describe a meaningful experience in which they led or inspired others and explain what they learned about leadership that would shape their futures.
“Nearly 400 students from across the country answered this year’s prompt, sharing powerful stories about leadership, community and the lessons shaping their future,” the USTA Foundation said in a Facebook post announcing the winners. “We’re inspired by these remarkable young leaders and grateful to everyone helping them unlock excellence and live their best life stories—on and off the court.”
During the awards ceremony, the winners shared their thoughts on leadership. Both Thompson and Sims-Francois emphasized the importance of caring for others.
“Taking up for others is a form of leadership,” Thompson said in the release. “Being a leader means standing up for other people.”
Thompson, a senior at Eastside High School, participates in the Aces in Motion sports-based after-school development program. He also volunteers at his local church and is a member of the Mirror Image Leadership Academy, a local nonprofit youth development program that helps young men build character, confidence and leadership skills.
“Being a leader isn’t about being bossy or the loudest person,” Sims-Francois said in the release. “It’s about having empathy, compassion and the right spirit and mindset to lead others.”
Sims-Francois, a junior at the Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School, has a 3.6 GPA, is on the A/B Honor Roll and has been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Outside of school, he plays tennis for Eastside High School and Aces in Motion and has performed in musical theater with the local Star Theater.