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  Grassroots
WIN4LIFE
Program Challenges Charleston Youth
To Set Goals And Succeed
CHARLESTON,
SC (March 14, 2002) The WIN4LIFE program, sponsored by Family
Circle magazine, debuted on February 18th and over the last few
weeks has focused on broadening the horizons of eighteen youths
from the Charleston community.
Family Circle magazine became the first title sponsor of
a Sanex WTA Tour event to fully fund this pilot program, which
focuses on ways to expose inner city children to new
environments that will help them prepare for life, on and off
the court.
Leslie Allen, a former Top 20 tennis player and founder
of the WIN4LIFE program, has completed two life skills mentoring
seminars and expert tennis training sessions with the students.
The next WIN4LIFE session is scheduled for Saturday,
March 23 at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Harper Student Center from 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
"I
am very pleased with the progress we have made over the last two
sessions, " stated Allen. "The kids believe in
themselves more, are setting their goals higher and working
harder to achieve them. You
can see their personal growth and it is satisfying to know that
the WIN4LIFE program has had something to do with
that."
Allen
and a committee of local tennis coaches selected the eighteen
youths currently in the program.
Britney Mitchell, a 14-year-old from West Ashley High
School, considers the program a great addition in her life.
"It's an honor to work with Leslie Allen. To me, she is right up there with Arthur Ashe and Althea
Gibson." The
WIN4LIFE program teaches them about setting
goals
and following through with them.
Priscilla Jamison, a 13 year-old from First Baptist
Church School, feels that she has learned an important life
lesson. "In all of life, if you used the 4 D's (dedication,
determination, desire and discipline) you can succeed in
anything - on and off the court."
As
guest speaker for the March 2nd session, former WCIV anchor
Vanessa Hill touched on how to improve your communication skills
and make them work for you.
Hill, currently the Transplant Liaison/Spokesperson for
MUSC, spoke to the kids about how important good communication
skills were in all areas of life.
Amber McCoy, an 11 year-old from Military Magnet Middle
School, took the message to heart. "The improving public speaking class was very helpful
and Ms. Hill was great. She
showed us how important communication skills are when dealing
with others."
"In
just a short time the WIN4LIFE program has truly given these
children a whole new perspective on life," commented
Frankie Whelan, Executive Director of the Family Circle Tennis
Center. "That
is what this program is all about and we are as committed as
Leslie to making this program a success."
The
culmination of the WIN4LIFE program is a unique look into the
world of professional tennis by attending the Family Circle Cup.
On Sunday, April 13th all twenty kids will attend the
qualifying matches and have an opportunity to watch some of the
up and coming stars of tomorrow on the Family Circle Tennis
Center courts. Every
child in the program will also be given four tickets to come out
and experience one of the premier events in women's professional
tennis with members of their family.
Four kids from the program will be awarded a once in a
lifetime opportunity. During
the tournament they will join Allen on a special behind the
scenes visit to one of the most successful Tier 1 events on the
Sanex WTA Tour. They will have the chance to meet one on one with
various professionals including event staff, journalists,
agents, broadcasters and coaches.
The
tournament, owned and operated by Family Circle magazine, will
be held April 13 - 21 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in
Charleston, South Carolina.
The Family Circle Cup is celebrating 30 years in women's
professional tennis and will feature Jennifer Capriati, Monica
Seles, Serena Williams, Anna
Kournikova, Justine Henin and Amelie Mauresmo.
The tournament is one of the longest running women's
professional tennis events in the United States and showcases a
week of world-class tennis.
Ticket packages are now on sale and a variety of packages
are available. For
more information on the Family Circle Cup and the Family Circle
Tennis Center at Daniel Island, please call (800) 677.2293 or
(843) 856.7900.
To check out the latest news on the Family Circle Cup
contact our tournament's official website at
www.familycirclecup.com.
[Source: Robin Reynolds,
PH: (407) 282.8976, Fax: (407) 282.0188, Email:
rreynolds@gjusa.com ; Jeff Cataffa,
PH: (843) 856.7900, x. 124, Fax:
(843) 856.7901 Email: jcataffa@gjusa.com]
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