Regional Officers

Austin

Aayush is a Class of 2027 student at Westwood High School. He loves tennis, both on and off the court, and is very excited to be able to help people through this sport. His coach has already allowed him to help conduct lower-level group lessons, relieving some of the responsibility from the coach. Aayush cannot wait to help disadvantaged kids in Angola enjoy the sport he has come to love.

David, Class of 2029, is passionate about helping others in every aspect. His early childhood Montessori experience laid the foundation. At the young age of 10, he would assist his tennis coach with younger kid during lesson. Providing them with positive encouragement. He is eager to help the underprivileged kids in Angola find their passion for tennis.

Kavish, Class of 2029 at Westwood High School, started playing tennis from a very young age and wants to help others feel what he feels. Tennis has helped him a lot by building his personality and becoming who he is today. Tennis has helped him push through anything and not give up when life is hard. He wants to give others the chance to have fun and help them be able to have a good, strong life with tennis.

Oklahoma City

Simrin Kumar, Class of 2028, at the Casady School in Oklahoma City, has played tennis since the age of five and currently serves as the number one doubles player on her high school’s junior varsity team, partnering with her twin sister. Simrin has a passion for mentoring younger players, having spent the past two summers teaching tennis to children at her school. Her experiences on and off the court—including over 100 hours of community service at St. Anthony’s Hospital—reflect her deep commitment to leadership, empathy, and service. Inspired by her cousin’s involvement with First Racquet, Simrin is excited to help expand access to tennis in her community by organizing donation drives and laying the groundwork for future tournaments.

Dallas

Anika is a Class of 2027 student at Greenhill School who has been playing tennis for many years, competing in tournaments throughout her childhood. The sport has given her joy while instilling discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. Over the years, tennis has also taught her the value of perseverance and the importance of growing through challenges. She hopes to pass on the lessons she has learned and encourage kids to discover the confidence and joy that tennis can bring into their own lives.

Baltimore

Allison is a Class of 2029 student at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland. She began playing tennis at the age of seven and has since developed a deep passion for the sport, gaining valuable lessons in dedication, patience, and mental strength. Allison is thrilled to contribute to First Racquet as Vice Director for the Baltimore region. She strives to support underprivileged children in discovering new passions through tennis and hopes to inspire others with the values and confidence the sport has given her.

Daniel Shou, Class of 2027 at Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, has been playing tennis since he was seven years old. Through tennis, he has learned the importance of hard work, mental toughness, and communication. Realizing their importance, he hopes to give back and provide opportunities for others to find a passion for tennis. Through First Racquet, Daniel hopes to expand the chances to play tennis and that everyone who does can learn its invaluable lessons.

Greater Atlanta Area

Aditya (Adi) Polkampally, Class of 2028 at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, has been playing tennis since he was young and in the past four years, has begun to take the sport more seriously. His love and dedication to tennis have fueled his passion for giving back by providing underprivileged kids with the same opportunity to experience the sport. Adi believes that every child should have the chance to enjoy tennis and learn the valuable lessons it teaches, both on and off the court.

Greater Houston Area

Yicheng (Ethan) He, Class of 2027 at Glenda Dawson High School, has played tennis for several years. He has seen the positive effects of tennis first hand and wishes to spread the love of tennis. Wanting to enable the children of Angola to grow strong both mentally and physically, Yicheng continues to volunteer and collect items for the children of Africa.

Arya Chhajlani, Class of 2027 at Memorial High School, has been playing tennis for about ten years, since she was six years old. She joined First Racquet in hopes of learning new things, helping communities, and making friendships. Tennis has taught her so much about resilience, love, hard work, confidence, and teamwork. Arya feels that anyone, at any age, can learn tennis with the right guidance and shouldn’t feel limited. Consequently, she strives to help Angolan children discover their talents.

Gyanesh Velu is a Class of 2028 student at Clements High School who has played tennis since age five. Over time, the sport has become more than a hobby—it has shaped his character, teaching discipline, perseverance, and commitment to improvement. He values the hard work and mental strength tennis demands and feels grateful for the opportunities it has given him. Passionate about giving back, Gyanesh hopes to support youth tennis through First Racquet by helping provide young athletes with access to resources, training, and encouragement to pursue their goals.

Wendy Huang, Class of 2028 at Clements High School, a sports enthusiast, is a dancer since the age of five, and enjoys badminton and pickleball in her free time. She is also involved as a leader in student council as class president, and through her experience as badminton club officer, she deeply understands the challenges of limited access to equipment. She hopes to apply her experience to aid in First Racquets mission, ultimately helping others find a supportive community, gain interpersonal skills, and boost confidence through sports.

Naomi Fan is a Class of 2029 student at the Kinkaid School and a dedicated tennis player. She’s interested in community service and outreach, and spends lots of time volunteering in the Greater Houston area. In addition to playing tennis, she enjoys running and being outdoors. Naomi wants to bring her love of sports to kids in Angola to allow them to pursue their passions.

Krish Chundru is a Class of 2030 student. Although he’s been playing tennis for the last couple of years, his love for the sport grew exponentially this summer while practicing with members of First Racquet. Tennis has changed his perspective and has inspired him to become a better person. He learned so much from his tennis mentors and wants people around the world to be able to experience the same; this is what drives him to volunteer for First Racquet. Krish strives for excellence in everything he does and is looking forward to bringing his energy to support the mission of First Racquet so that the children of Angola can all experience the same joy that he has for the sport of tennis. When he’s not playing tennis, Krish loves playing his oboe, watching anime, and baking his world-famous cookies!

Sanil Apte, Class of 2028 at Jordan High School, is deeply committed to combining his passions for athletics, technology, and community service. As an active member of the school tennis team, Sanil shares his love for the sport by coaching and teaching young players. Beyond the court, he is heavily involved in STEM education, hosting hands on robotics camps for kids. Driven by a dedication to youth mentorship, Sanil strives to empower the next generation both on and off the court.