Honors
"[A's & Aces'] commitment is to introduce New Orleans public school children to quality after-school activities that combine instruction in tennis, academics for citizenship and life skills to improve both their scholastic and physical development as well as their characters. |
President Clinton presents the "Outstanding Commitment"
Award to Dr. Monhartova in March of 2008.
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"[A's & Aces'] commitment is to introduce New Orleans public school children to quality after-school activities that combine instruction in tennis, academics for citizenship and life skills to improve both their scholastic and physical development as well as their characters. The non-profit organization As and Aces will host summer camps and after-school clinics to give tennis instruction to 1,000 second to sixth graders to spark their interest in playing tennis throughout education.
In high school, A’s and Aces will assist promising student-athletes in both educational and athletic development, paving a path to college. This program aims to improve community and race relations by giving a diverse group of young people the opportunity to build relationships through common interests and teamwork."
View the full transcript here.
In high school, A’s and Aces will assist promising student-athletes in both educational and athletic development, paving a path to college. This program aims to improve community and race relations by giving a diverse group of young people the opportunity to build relationships through common interests and teamwork."
View the full transcript here.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana’s “Angel Award”, 2010
This signature Foundation program is all about increasing awareness of children's needs throughout the state and providing much-needed resources to help address them. Every year, the Angel Award recognizes eight outstanding volunteers with a $20,000 grant to each honoree's nonprofit charity. The grants are presented at special events in honorees' local communities, and the honorees are celebrated at a special ceremony in the fall. Watch the video made in honor of Anna Monhartova's work.
Stephanie Barksdale, Tulane University Special Assistant to President Cowen, and Assistant Director for the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching, was interviewed by BCBSLA for the video:
Anna actually inspires me because she is on the ground doing the work we all talk about. I think she's so dedicated to this because she sees the potential of it. She sees the change in the students that she's worked with in the past, and Anna shows up on a daily basis. She engages with the community, she engages with the students. Her ability to both be a teacher and a practitioner - to work in the field, and then share those lessons with her students - is really incredible.
- 2012 State of America Documentary Project (Broadcast nationally by ABC as a Secret Millionaire episode)
The A's & Aces episode of ABC’s “Secret Millionaire” was originally set to air a year earlier in 2012, but was pulled by ABC on the eve of the scheduled telecast, reportedly to avoid competition with the Summer Olympic Games.
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Based on the hit UK series of the same name, each episode of "Secret Millionaire" follows one of America's most successful business people for one week as they leave behind their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and luxury jets, conceal their true identities, and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous neighborhoods in the country. Their mission is to discover deserving individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help those in need, and ultimately encourage others to do the same. Throughout this incredible, life-changing experience, the Secret Millionaires attempt to remain undiscovered, coming face to face with extraordinary people battling the odds every day of their lives. On the final day, in an emotional and dramatic climax, they reveal their true identities. Ultimately, the millionaires each give away a great deal of their own money, changing lives forever and encouraging others to keep giving back.
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Photo: Amos Winbush, III – reveals his secret and donates $50,000 to A’s & Aces as a Secret Millionaire
A's & Aces received its first overseas donations from the United Kingdom, and, through correspondence with donors, discovered that British audiences learned about A's & Aces when the show was telecast in conjunction with Wimbledon. The episode that was filmed in July 2011 aired nationally in the U.S. during prime time on Sunday Aug 25, 2013, the evening before the U.S. Open.
A's & Aces received its first overseas donations from the United Kingdom, and, through correspondence with donors, discovered that British audiences learned about A's & Aces when the show was telecast in conjunction with Wimbledon. The episode that was filmed in July 2011 aired nationally in the U.S. during prime time on Sunday Aug 25, 2013, the evening before the U.S. Open.
- USTA National Junior Tennis & Learning 2013 "Chapter of the Year"
In conjunction with this award, the USTA commissioned a video that features several City leaders, including the Mayor, the council President/VP, a NORD Commissioner, and the Heath Commissioner explaining the need for and value of A's & Aces programs to the community.
- Mayor Mitch Landrieu:
If a kid's got a racket in his hand instead of a gun, you've got a chance. If we’ve got kids on the courts being taught the values of life, the chances of them growing up, doing great things is a thousand times better.
- Council Member Stacy Head:
A’s & Aces is one of those that provide incredibly high quality service for a very low price, brings access to a sport that kids may not otherwise have, all over the city of New Orleans, in a way that we could not frankly do if we were trying to do within government.
- NORD Commissioner Corinne Morrison Marcus:
It was just horrible after Katrina. There was nothing. I mean, there wasn’t anything going on in Pontchartrain Park. There weren’t these kid's camps and great programs like A’s & Aces to really change this city for the better, for good.
If a kid's got a racket in his hand instead of a gun, you've got a chance. If we’ve got kids on the courts being taught the values of life, the chances of them growing up, doing great things is a thousand times better.
- Council Member Stacy Head:
A’s & Aces is one of those that provide incredibly high quality service for a very low price, brings access to a sport that kids may not otherwise have, all over the city of New Orleans, in a way that we could not frankly do if we were trying to do within government.
- NORD Commissioner Corinne Morrison Marcus:
It was just horrible after Katrina. There was nothing. I mean, there wasn’t anything going on in Pontchartrain Park. There weren’t these kid's camps and great programs like A’s & Aces to really change this city for the better, for good.
- Health Commissioner Karen DeSalvo, M.D.:
A’s & Aces is a model program not just for New Orleans but for this country. It is addressing the needs of kids from their physical health to their mental health all the way to their life skills development. They’ve been a wonderful partner to the city.
A’s & Aces is a model program not just for New Orleans but for this country. It is addressing the needs of kids from their physical health to their mental health all the way to their life skills development. They’ve been a wonderful partner to the city.
- A's & Aces featured in the Nov/Dec 2014 "Heroes Issue" of Tennis Magazine
Read "Big Impact in the Big Easy" in the magazine, or an abridged online edition in Tennis Tuesday.
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- Dr. Monhartova Wins BCBSLA Angel of Change Grant, 2015
Dr. Monhartova and BCBSLA Foundation President, Michael Tipton
A's & Aces co-founder, President and dedicated volunteer, Anna Monhartova, PhD was selected by the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation as the the 2016 "Louisiana Hero of Excellence." The ceremony and reception was hosted at the Governor's Mansion by Mrs. Donna Edwards, First Lady, State of Louisiana, and the Senate and House members of the LA Legislative Women's Caucus, including New Orleans Representatives Helena Moreno, Stephanie Hilferty and Sen. Karen Carter Peterson. Event Program excerpt
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Hero of Excellence
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- WDSU News Visits A's & Aces Camp
WDSU News reporter Charles Divins visited our Tournament Training Camp at the Atkinson-Stern Tennis Center. The video aired on June 25, 2016. View or read the report here.
- 2016 TrueSport Video Highlights Partnership with A's & Aces
TrueSport, a grassroots movement affiliated with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, partners with A's & Aces to promote the positive experiences that youth sport can bring to help young athletes build the life skills and core values for success on and off the court.
In 2016, two multi-medal Olympians visited New Orleans as TrueSport Ambassadors to film a video highlighting the partnership and our student-athletes: after-school program at Dillard University and our Atkinson-Stern summer camp. TrueSport's motto is "We Value Champions. We Champion Values." Click here to view the video.
In 2016, two multi-medal Olympians visited New Orleans as TrueSport Ambassadors to film a video highlighting the partnership and our student-athletes: after-school program at Dillard University and our Atkinson-Stern summer camp. TrueSport's motto is "We Value Champions. We Champion Values." Click here to view the video.
- Anna Monhartova is a 2016 "NOLA Hero"
Dr. Monhartova and Chanda Rubin
The Times-Picayune spotlighted A's & Aces' co-founder and current President, Anna Monhartova, PhD, in its 2016 "Future of New Orleans Project" that focuses on "individuals who are building a better future for our area by making a difference now" - NOLA Heroes. Read the article here.
- A's & Aces' President Receives 2017 Zurich Classic Community Impact Award
Chronological List of A's & Aces Awards
Over its twelve years of operation, A’s & Aces and its work has been recognized by local, state, regional, and national awards:
2008:
2013:
2014
2015
2016
2008:
- Outstanding Commitment Award - awarded by the Clinton Global Initiative University
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Southern Tennis Association
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
- City Council Proclamation: “For Outstanding Work On Behalf of the Youth of New Orleans”
- Angel Award – awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana through an annual statewide recognition program that awards funds to “outstanding Louisianians working to improve the quality of life for the state's children.”
- Selected by ABC TV to appear on the Secret Millionaire show and awarded $50,000
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
- Member Organization of the Year – Certificate of Merit - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
2013:
- National Junior Tennis & Learning Chapter of the Year - The National Chapter of the Year was awarded by the United States Tennis Association from more than 600 organizations nation-wide.
- New Orleans Saints Community Quarterback Award
2014
- Member Organization of the Year – Certificate of Merit - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
2015
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Southern Tennis Association
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
- National Junior Tennis & Learning Chapter of the Year - awarded by the Southern Tennis Association
- National Junior Tennis & Learning Chapter of the Year - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
- Millennial Award for Social Entrepreneurship - awarded by Spears Consultant Group
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation presented A's & Aces with an Angel of Change award
2016
- "Louisiana Hero of Excellence" selected by the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation as the 2016 "Louisiana Hero of Excellence."
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation presented A's & Aces with an Angel of Change award
- 2017 Zurich Classic Community Impact Award - for work to improve the lives of children in New Orleans through significant contributions to building resilient and sustainable communities through inspirational leadership and ability to enact positive change.
- 2017 National Junior Tennis & Learning Organization of the Year - awarded by Tennis Industry magazine
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Southern Tennis Association
- Educational Merit Award - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association
- Tennis Professional of the Year - awarded by the Louisiana Tennis Association