Top Kids in the News

June 2009
Darnesha Moore
8th Grader, Daniel Hale Medical Academy

TOP Kid, Moore: Summer Tournament Updates 
Congratulations Darnesha for making it to the fourth round of the consolation draw in the girls' 14s Chicago District Championship. As a result, Darnesha qualified to participate in the Midwest Junior Closed Outdoor Championships where she won two rounds in the main draw. Prior to competing in the Midwest Closed, Darnesha played the girls' 16 Wildcat Summer Classic Challenger and reached the finals. TOP is extremely proud of Darnesha's recent accomplishments .

May 2009
David Packowitz
Junior, Adlai E. Stevenson High School

TOP Kid, Packowitz: IHSA Tennis Doubles Finalist
Our very own TOP student, David Packowitz and his partner, Ross Putterman represented Stevenson High School at the IHSA Tennis Championship making it all the way through the doubles draw to the finals before losing 5-7, 0-6. TOP is extremely proud of David's achievement.

July 2008
Denis Boatov
Junior, Warren High School

TOP Kid, Bogatov: Player of the Year in Singles
A back injury threatened to short-circuit Denis Bogatov's tennis season, but the Warren High School junior eventually shook off the problem to claim an IHSA singles title. "I was feeling tired after the third game (of first set)," Bogatov said. "I  think the adrenaline kept me going. I stayed mentally tough the whole match." The 7-0 run at state gave Bogatov a season record of 34-2. "He (Bogatov) has so much heart," said Warren coach, Greg Cohen. TOP president, Henrietta West says, “TOP is extremely proud of Denis. He represents the achievement of all the positive goals on which we focus.”

Congratulations Denis!!

June 25, 2008
3 former TOP students graduated from college this year
Hristo Bankov - DePaul Univeristy - Pre-Law
Courtney Dorsey - Howard University - Business
Rozell Hodges - Occidental College - Economics

Congratulations Hristo, Courtney, and Rozell!

June 24, 2008
Darnesha Moore
Grade 7, Shoesmith Academy, Chicago
 
Darnesha Moore was awarded the Nelson Rowland Scholarship!  The Nelson Rowland Scholarship was established by Allison Turner, a former Midtown pro, in the honor of her friend, Nelson Rowland.  Nelson was also a pro at Midtown for many years. This scholarship will pay for Darnesha's tennis training, tournaments, and equipment through high school - Way to go Darnesha!  

June 21, 2008
Alejandra Jara

Grade 8 - Alfred Nobel Elementary School, Chicago.

Alejandra won a $600.00 Player Grant awarded by the USTA Midwest Section. This money will be used for her participation in a few upcoming tournaments. Way to go Alejandra!

April 15, 2008
Brittany Ballog

Brittany Ballog, a straight A student and top ranked tennis star has been selected to attend the Presidental Youth Inaugural Conference!  Way to go Brittany!

March 2008
Denis Bogatov

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-21-ss-tennismar21,1,7096295.story

October 2007
Elizabeth Epstein - 1st place in singles
http://www.mchenrycountysports.com/articles/2007/10/21/fall_sports/girls_tennis/doc471b029e9700a793321654.txt

October 2007
Darnesha Moore (age 11)- at the "Little Mo" exhibition in Chicago