By Blair Thompson

Portland, OREGON — Portland After-School Tennis (P.A.S.T.) was founded in 1996 with the goal of bringing low-cost tennis and education to underserved children at local schools and park sites. Thanks to the help of its dedicated volunteers and staff, the organization has continued to grow and positively affect the lives of Portland area youth over the last 12 years.

Last year was a banner year for P.A.S.T., as working with Head Start, elementary and high school students, the organization served over 1000 children at 18 schools and four parks. The P.A.S.T. curriculum includes nutrition and life skills education but the tennis court serves as a classroom as well.

“Our kids keep coming back to the program year after year and really do develop strong tennis skills and also are for the most part good students and well-behaved. There are a lot of life skills just in the game of tennis itself,” says P.A.S.T. Executive Director Danice Brown.

In addition to its work on court, P.A.S.T. had some notable achievements off the court in 2007. In December, the organization received a $10,000 Aces for Kids national grant through the USTA Public Affairs Committee. With that grant, P.A.S.T. will look to expand its summer reading program, Serving Up Literacy, at public parks in 2008.

Most recently, the organization received a $15,000 USTA Community Funding national grant that will finance its new P.A.S.T. Tennis Academy. The Academy will serve as the next developmental step for current P.A.S.T. participants who show promise and the desire to rise to intermediate and advanced levels of play. Academy players will be held to high academic and sportsmanship standards and will mentor younger program participants.

P.A.S.T. kids also had the extraordinary opportunity to experience the 2007 U.S. vs. Russia Davis Cup Final in Portland. From participating in the Community Tennis Carnival and getting to hit a ball with U.S. Davis Cup team members to attending the matches at Memorial Coliseum, it was an unforgettable experience.

Just ask P.A.S.T. participant and Benson High School student Noelle Phan.

“Being able to experience such a historical moment in life is truly something I am grateful for and definitely something I won’t forget for the rest of my life,” she wrote. “Ever since then, I have worked hard and will always keep working hard to be as great as I can be, just like each and every player in the Davis Cup.”