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Lincolnland Legends: Winning Examples You can download the first-place and second-place essays from the 2009-2010 competition here: The following essay by Amir R. James of Morgan Park High School won the 2006-2007 Lincolnland Legends statewide contest; it provides one more example of just what it takes to put together a winning essay. As a senior at Morgan Park High School and a student athlete, I have the distinct privilege of being associated with Coach L. LaMont Bryant. For the past eight (8) years, Coach Bryant has been a guiding force and truly a role model for me as an African-American male. Growing up and living in the 1st Congressional District where the Honorable Bobby L. Rush is the US Representative, my life has been influenced by the youth programs that have been established by Coach Bryant. Coach Bryant is the founder and CEO of Love To Serve, Inc. Tennis and Education Foundation. He is highly respected for his dedication and commitment to urban youth in the greater Chicagoland area. Since 1992, Coach Bryant, a former school teacher and tennis pro, has coordinated a team of instructors, teachers, and volunteers to provide tennis programs, after-school academic enrichment activities, test preparation, and college workshops for students who would otherwise not have access to these services. Coach Bryant’s programs keep impressionable youth off the street in a fun, educational, and safe drug-free/gang free environment. Last year, Coach Bryant’s organization Love To Serve, Inc. Tennis and Education Foundation received the 2005 Hidden Jewel of the Community Award (presented by Jewel-Osco) for outstanding contributions to the community in Education. Additionally, he has received the Eve Kraft Community Service National Award for providing tennis programs throughout Chicago to urban youth. Through his efforts, thousands of students are reached each year. His community based not-for-profit organization is nationally recognized and very well respected. As a young child, I never imagined that I would be drawn to a sport like tennis. Although I began playing sports at the age of four, by the time I was six years old my interest shifted to ice hockey, another non-traditional sport. After playing hockey for almost four years, I became less interested when I saw how much fun my older sister was having playing tennis. She would travel to other cities to play tennis tournaments and she was meeting a lot of new friends, other than the ones she would go to school with. By the time I was ten, my interest in tennis grew and that was when Coach Bryant came into my life. Coach Bryant took a special interest in any student athlete that showed a desire or interest to improve on the tennis court, in the classroom, or personally as an individual. He always stressed the importance of reaching your full potential, especially in school. The students that have participated in Coach Bryant’s student athlete program have all been admitted to college after graduating from high school and received either an academic scholarship or athletic scholarship towards their college education. Through the years, I have watched students become seniors and go through the process of deciding where to go to college and this has always been very exciting to me. Now, I sit here as a senior and go through the very same process! One of the best rewards of being a student athlete and graduating from high school is that your name is placed on the “Wall of Honor” underneath the school pennant where you will attend college. The “Wall of Honor” is located at the Love To Serve, Inc. Tennis and Education Foundation Academic Center. This is where the students meet for the academic programs. Each day I look at the “Wall of Honor” and know that someday my name would be placed underneath a college pennant where I will be attending college. It looks like that day is almost here, thanks to Coach Bryant, a man that motivates, inspires, and one that I admire. —Amir R. James Because College Doesn't Happen By Chance®.
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