USTA Texas

has awarded nine local area youth Texas Diversity Grants, based upon a written essay, report card, personal statements and recommendation letters from a tennis coach and a school official. Recipients from Katy include Cristopher Cequea, 14, Paulina Loretz, 13, and Valentina Loretz, 13; and from Houston, Elisa Rodriguez, 14, Guadalupe Rodriguez, 9, Lucia Rodriguez, 12, Macarena Rodriguez, 9, Michelle Trochez, 12, and Nicole Trochez, 12. With this grant, recipients are able to purchase tennis equipment, pay tournament fees, pay travel expenses and participate in tennis lessons. The grant is intended to help relieve financial burdens associated with playing tennis so recipients can focus on practicing and playing the sport. Families are required to volunteer in their communities to serve as tennis ambassadors while promoting tennis as an inclusive sport.