Reading Programs

The HCCTA Individual Reading and Community Reading programs promote the value of reading and and education to our participants which are open to the public. These programs are made possible through a grant from the USTA Serves Foundation.

2009 Community Reads Pressure is a Privilege $50 Raffle

New!  Any high school student who reads the 2009 HCCTA Community Reads book Pressure is a Privilege by Billie Jean King and answers one of the supplied questions will have their name entered into a $50 gift card (Visa or MasterCard) raffle.  Please click here for information.  Email Helen.Petersen@hccta.org with any questions. 

Individual Reading

The HCCTA partners with local libraries in Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville to support their summer youth reading programs. We promote library programs to our own players and donate tennis- related prizes to each library to encourage kids to read, set and attain reading goals, and build an interest in tennis. Children who meet the reading criteria set by each library are eligible to win prizes.

In the photo at right, Anna Marie Short (Noblesville and Fishers libraries) and Will Smither (Westfield library) accept tennis racquets from HCCTA to use as awards in their 2008 summer youth reading programs.

Community Reading

HCCTA sponsors an annual community reading program for Hamilton County high school tennis teams, coaches, families and friends. Our community reading program reinforces the value of reading, builds team unity and fosters a sense of community by reading books like Arthur Ashe's autobiography Days of Grace, among others. This program is supported by our own student-advisory panel, made up of members from local schools. The goals of the HCCTA Community Reads program are to:

• Promote education through tennis.

• Promote community service through tennis.

• Promote diversity and inclusion through tennis.

Any high school student can receive community service credit by reading an HCCTA Community Reads book. Books are available at Hamilton County public libraries and high school libraries. To receive credit, email Mark Heiden at Mark.Heiden@hccta.org.

The HCCTA Reading Programs are funded through a grant from the United States Tennis & Education Foundation. Students who participate in the HCCTA Community Reads activities may count them as HCCTA Community Service when applying for HCCTA College Scholarships (see Scholarships for more information). The HCCTA Community Reads program is administered by the HCCTA Student Advisory Committee (SAC). SAC the selects the book, organizes the public event, and identifies community service opportunities. For more information about HCCTA Community Reads and Individual Reads contact Helen Moser Petersen at Helen.Petersen@hccta.org.

2008 Community Reads program recap: Taliaferro

George Taliaferro was a star quarterback on Indiana University’s first great football team of 1945. Four years later, in 1949, he became the first African American drafted by the NFL. Despite his not being able to eat or sleep on campus, Taliaferro returned to IU to become one of its most loved professors. He is a Gary, IN native who has lived nearly all his adult life in Bloomington crusading for the equality of all people. Author Dawn Knight is a former student of George Taliaferro’s at IU and is currently a Westfield High School English teacher and mother of three. Her book about George recently won a "Book of the Year Award" from prestigious ForeWord Magazine. You can learn more about the author at her website. There is a Facebook group set up about the book. Join facebook and search for the group called "Taliaferro: Breaking Barriers" to learn more.

George Taliaferro Events

The HCCTA sponsored two events featuring George Taliaferro and his family. During the two events, students had the opportunity to meet George and hear him speak about his life and his struggles as an African American athlete. In spite of all the hardships he encountered, George's spirit and good nature persevered as an athlete, a student, and a citizen of the community. George's speech and good humor inspired students and family members alike, and we thank him for his participation in our program.