The School District of Lancaster is honored to recognize McCaskey High School student Ruth Abera, who has been named a national winner of the 2025 USTA Foundation National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Essay Contest, presented by Deloitte. Ruth is one of only eight students selected nationwide from a pool of more than 400 entries submitted by student-athletes across the country. Representing Tennis Central, she has distinguished herself as a leader both on and off the court, making her community and school incredibly proud.
This year’s contest asked students to respond to the prompt: “Reflect on a time when you experienced a challenge, setback, or failure. What lessons did you learn, and how did the experience shape your personal growth?” Ruth’s essay stood out for its honesty, self-awareness, and clarity of expression. She shared how challenges have shaped her perspective, teaching her lessons of perseverance, growth, and leadership. Her work embodied the qualities the NJTL program was founded to nurture resilience, character, and the ability to see possibility in the face of obstacles.
Her selection placed her among an elite group of eight student-athletes from across the country two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, and two seniors. Each student was chosen from hundreds of applicants for their ability to reflect deeply and express powerfully how personal challenges have influenced their growth.
As part of her recognition, Ruth traveled to New York City from August 19–23, 2025, during US Open Fan Week, where she and the other winners were celebrated with a series of unforgettable experiences, including:
-
Stars of the Open, an exhibition event that featured some of the greatest names in tennis.
-
A visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, connecting the winners to the broader history of immigration, resilience, and opportunity in America.
-
An evening at a Broadway musical, immersing them in one of New York’s cultural treasures.
-
An immersive learning experience with Deloitte leaders, where students explored career readiness, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- A special luncheon at the Yale Club of New York City, where each student was honored with an official plaque recognizing their achievement.
The NJTL network, co-founded in 1969 by tennis champion and civil rights icon Arthur Ashe, together with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, began as a vision to use tennis as a means to promote education, character development, and opportunity. Today, it has grown into a nationwide movement with more than 270 community-based organizations. The network serves thousands of young people annually, combining academic enrichment, life-skills programming, mentorship, and the discipline of tennis to prepare them for success in school and beyond.
Since its inception, the USTA Foundation has invested nearly $64 million in grants and scholarships to support these efforts, ensuring that students from under-resourced communities can access opportunities that shape them into well-rounded leaders. The NJTL essay contest, now a flagship initiative, continues Arthur Ashe’s legacy of amplifying youth voices and encouraging reflection as a tool for growth.
USTA Foundation CEO Ginny Ehrlich praised the winners, stating, “The powerful stories and thoughtful reflections of this year’s NJTL Essay Contest winners truly moved and inspired us, and offered a glimpse into the leadership qualities of the young people in our programs across the country. We appreciate the hard work and heart each student put into their responses, and we look forward to celebrating and amplifying their achievements together with their families during US Open Fan Week.”
For the School District of Lancaster, Ruth’s recognition is a moment of tremendous pride. It reflects not only her individual dedication but also the importance of building pathways for students to excel both academically and personally. Her achievement illustrates the power of pairing academics with extracurricular passions where the skills learned in writing and athletics come together to create transformative opportunities.
Ruth’s journey is a shining example for her peers at McCaskey and across our district. She has represented herself, her family, her school, and her community on a national stage with excellence and grace. We celebrate her success and look forward to seeing where her talents, leadership, and determination will take her next.
Congratulations, Ruth. You inspire us all.