1^st and 2^nd Place Winners of the Girls & Boys 12s & 14s from the MID-TAC 2011 Championship Tournament attended the first ATA Junior Development Workshop January 27-29, 2012 held in Houston, Texas. Following are reflections from the parent of 1^st Place Girls 12s winner Camryn Salter of Chicago, IL in an email to MID-TAC's President.

"Ms. Dorsey!
Houston was a wonderful experience for Camryn! Not only did she meet new tennis friends, coaches, and mentors, but she also walked away feeling supported and said she gained a new sense of confidence from the experience. They jammed packed the agenda with on court and off-court activities such as drills, match-play and how to be mentally tough on and off the court. They also spent a great deal of time with parents by addressing our concerns, questions, and etiquette of being a tennis parent. 
 
The weekend highlight was spending significant time with Zina Garrison and her former coach, John Wilkerson.  They shared great insight with the kids and parents.  Zina even invited us to the house where she grew up and provided barbeque for all! She shared her experiences and encouraged all of them to focus on college. The goal is for all of them to be professional--whether that means doctors, attorneys, teachers, engineers, entreprenuers, OR professional tennis players.  Less than 1% of us actually become professional tennis players; therefore, the focus should be to maintain a sense of reality while doing your best. In other words, let the racquet take you places around the world! 
 
Dr. Gary Sailes did a wonderful job speaking to parents about managing expectations of children, sending appropriate messages to children, and understanding our role as parents while respecting their coach. He spent a total of 4 hours, on two different days, with the kids on mental toughness. Camryn said that was one of her favorite parts of the weekend. 
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The weekend was well organized, and they all recognized opportunities for improvement. There seemed to be more children particpating than were on the official letters of communication from the ATA; however the overall experience was wonderful for all. 
 
...  I am encouraging [Chicago coaches] to rally behind the ATA's efforts to bring about a renaissance/awareness of our community with MidTac/ATA by getting more families involved in such a meaningful and powerful organization. I learned so much, and met so many influential people that played such a significant part in shaping the ATA. It's so important for our kids to understand their history as it becomes the wind beneath their wings. 
 
"When you feel like quitting, you have to think about those that came before you that made it possible for you to be here because you are lucky to be able to play tennis."  -Zina. Our family is honored to be apart of history.
 
Thank you!

Romeldia Salter
Educational Consultant
www.romeldia.com"

Romeldia & Kevin Salter are staunch supporters of tennis on behalf of both of their daughters and the African American tennis community. Mrs. Salter recently joined MID-TAC's Junior Development Committee and will begin to share valuable information with parents of budding junior tennis players.

The other three winners attending the workshop were Timara Maxwell w/her mom, Val McElroy; PJ Panesar w/his coach Stan Hudson; and TJ Harris w/his mom/coach, Titania Harris. The ATA/ATF Junior Development Program will have three additional workshops in 2012. More information about the Program will be shared as it develops.

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Sandra Little - Chicago, IL

Charles Holt - Chicago, IL

Roger Allen - Evanston, IL

Danny Campbell - St. Louis, MO

Stan Hudson - St. Louis, MO

Rosalie McCormick - Chicago, IL

Jacqueline Simons - Chicago, IL

Sandra Bond - Chicago, IL

Kevin & Romeldia Salter - Chicago

Carey Adams - Chicago, IL

Derrick Orr - Chicago, IL

Rita Patterson - Louisville, KY

Bruce Stone - Louisville, KY

Shirley Roach - Chicago, IL

Margaret Dorsey - Chicago, IL