Who We Are

Our Mission

First Racquet, a youth-led nonprofit based in Houston, Texas, is committed to empowering underprivileged young athletes in Angola and supporting wheelchair tennis players facing financial barriers. Our mission is to nurture their passion for tennis and improve their lives through athletic opportunities. Your generous donations will be directed to these aspiring athletes, providing them the chance to swing their first racquet or obtain specialized sports wheelchairs that make tennis possible. We believe tennis is more than a game—it’s a path to positive change, and together, we can make a significant difference.

Our Team

Our team, composed of compassionate high school students from the Greater Houston Area, Austin, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Baltimore, and Atlanta, includes members with personal ties to Angola. We are driven to uplift young Angolan tennis players by providing gently used equipment and apparel, while also supporting wheelchair tennis players through funding for specialized sports wheelchairs. We know that every contribution makes an impact, and we are devoted to this cause. Join us—whether by donating your unused tennis gear, contributing to help provide sports wheelchairs, or by helping to spread the word. Together, we can empower aspiring athletes and inspire a new generation of tennis excellence. Let’s make a difference today!

Meet Our Executive Officers

Learn more about our Executive Officers.

Daniel Pan (President)

Daniel Pan, Class of 2027 at St. John's School, is a committed athlete who has played many sports throughout his childhood but ultimately decided to focus on tennis. Daniel believes that by playing tennis, he has joined an amazing community. Moreover, through tennis, he has trained his discipline and practiced resilience and integrity. Daniel wants a future where every child in the world will be able to create lasting memories and great character through tennis. He concludes that a world of compassion and integrity will mean a world of stability and worldwide peace.

Daniel Pan

President

Ruiti Hea (Executive Vice President)

Ruiti He, Class of 2027 at Glenda Dawson High School, has been playing tennis for many years. She is deeply passionate about tennis and wants to bring the sport to those who may be under-privileged. She is excited to help the children in Angola and bring the life changing sport to those in the country.

Ruiti Hea

EXECUTIVE Vice President

Nilay Arangil (Executive Vice President)

Nilay Arangil, Class of 2027 at Shadow Creek High School, is passionate about volunteering and mentoring underprivileged youth globally. His enthusiasm for tennis, coupled with an understanding of associated costs, led him to support First Racquet. Introduced to the initiative’s cause for underprivileged kids in Angola, Nilay sees it as an opportunity to empower them not just with racquets but with the belief that they deserve to play, dream, and achieve. Nilay is dedicated to contributing to First Racquet’s mission, fostering positive change in the lives of Angolan children.

Nilay Arangil

EXECUTIVE Vice president

Isabella Young (Treasurer)

Isabella Young, Class of 2027 at Clements High School, is a passionate tennis player with eight years of experience and a strong commitment to giving back to the sport. Believing in the power of tennis to foster discipline, resilience, and lifelong opportunities, Isabella is dedicated to supporting youth tennis in Angola. With aspirations in the medical field and a deep appreciation for the impact of sports, Isabella strives to help young athletes gain access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive both on and off the court.

Isabella Young

Treasurer

Stanley Huang (Secretary)

Stanley Huang, Class of 2029 at Clements High School, has been a passionate tennis player since age 6. A sociable and engaging conversationalist, Stanley enjoys action movies and soccer tournaments in his free time. With dreams of starting his own business, such as a food truck or popsicle stand, he is excited to merge his entrepreneurial spirit with First Racquet’s mission to positively impact the world.

Stanley Huang

Secretary

Akshay Pandya (VP of Events & Programming)

Akshay, Class of 2029 at St. John’s School, has enjoyed playing tennis since the age of six. He truly loves the sport and the opportunity it allows for physical exercise, while also providing a mental challenge. Tennis has taught him the values of discipline, hard work, and resilience. Akshay believes that no one should be excluded from a sport due to its cost, as many hopes and dreams of youth are based upon sports such as tennis. Through First Racquet, he is excited to combine his love for tennis with the opportunity to help underserved youth.

Akshay Pandya

VP of Events & programming

Anaira Shinde (VP of Marketing & Outreach)

Anaira Shinde, Class of 2027 at Shadow Creek High School and a dedicated tennis player since the age of 6, hopes to use her abilities to inspire and help underprivileged kids in Angola to pursue their dreams of playing tennis. Tennis has taught her many skills which gave her the confidence to pass it down to other kids who don’t have the same opportunity to play the sport they’re passionate about.

Anaira Shinde

Vp of Marketing & Outreach

Jonathan Lee (VP of Domestic Initiatives)

Jonathan is Class of 2027 student at McDonogh School in Baltimore, Maryland. Tennis has been a central part of his life for the past ten years. On Sundays, he volunteers to teach tennis to children with special needs at an indoor club, an experience that has strengthened his commitment to making the sport accessible to all. Through First Racquet, Jonathan aims to expand his community impact by fostering a love for tennis, teaching life skills such as perseverance and teamwork, and helping children of all abilities enjoy the game.

Jonathan Lee

VP of Domestic Initiatives

Nikita Goel (VP of Volunteer Engagement)

Nikita Goel, Class of 2027 at Clements High School, has been playing tennis since she was six years old. Through the sport, she has learned perseverance and the value of community. Beyond the court, Nikita is passionate about service and believes in using her time and skills to create opportunities for others. Inspired by First Racquet’s mission to expand opportunities through sport, Nikita is excited to help create meaningful experiences for both volunteers and young athletes in Angola.

Nikita Goel

VP of Volunteer Engagement

Meet Our Regional Officers

Austin

Learn more about our Austin Officers.

Aayush Parikh (Director, 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.

Aayush Parikh

Director (Austin)

David Beckles (Director, Austin)

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.

David Beckles

Director (Austin)

Kavish Parikh (Assistant Director, Austin)

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.

Kavish Parikh

Assistant Director (Austin)

Oklahoma City

Learn more about our Oklahoma City Officers.

Simrin Kumar (Director, 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.

Simrin Kumar

DIRECTOR (OKLAHOMA CITY)

Dallas

Learn more about our Dallas Officers.

Anika Katikaneni (Director, 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.

Anika Katikaneni

DIRECTOR (Dallas)

Baltimore

Learn more about our Baltimore Officers

Allison Lee (Director, 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.

Allison Lee

DIRECTOR (Baltimore)

Daniel Shou (Director, Baltimore)

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.

Daniel Shou

DIRECTOR (Baltimore)

Greater Atlanta Area

Learn more about our Greater Atlanta Area Officers.

Adi Polkampally (Director, Atlanta)

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.

Aditya (Adi) Polkampally

DIRECTOR (Atlanta)

Greater Houston Area

Learn more about our Greater Houston Area Officers.

Ethan He (Director, Pearland)

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.

Ethan He

DIRECTOR (Pearland)

Arya Chhajlani (Director, Houston)

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.

Arya Chhajlani

DIRECTOR (Houston)

Gyanesh Velu (Director, Sugar Land)

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.

Gyanesh Velu

Director (Sugar Land)

Wendy Huang (Director, Sugar Land)

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.

Wendy Huang

Director (Sugar Land)

Naomi Fan (Director, Houston)

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.

Naomi Fan

Director (Houston)

Krish Chundru (Director, Pearland)

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!

Krish Chundru

Director (Pearland)

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Sanil Apte (Katy, TX)

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.

Sanil Apte

Director (Katy)

General Members

Learn more about our General Members.

Steven Wei (Sugar land, TX)

Steven Wei, Class of 2028 at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, is passionate about athletics and actively participates in track and the school’s marching band. He also has a strong interest in engineering and robotics, and is excited to apply his technical skills to support First Racquet’s mission. By exploring innovative ways to integrate STEM into sports—such as streamlining event logistics or developing interactive learning platforms—Steven aims to make tennis more engaging and accessible for underserved communities.

Steven Wei

Sugar Land, tx

Kyle Xu (Katy, TX)

Kyle Xu is a Class of 2031 student who is passionate about helping others. As a dedicated tennis player, Kyle believes that everyone deserves brighter and better opportunities in life. He is committed to giving back to the community by volunteering his time to support underprivileged children, which he sees as the least he can do to make a positive impact. His dedication to tennis fuels his passion, guiding his actions both on and off the court.

Kyle Xu

Katy, TX

Nikhil Naha (Sugar Land, TX)

Nikhil Naha is a Class of 2032 student who spent his earliest years in Luanda, Angola, where African culture and the Portuguese language shaped his worldview. A passionate tennis player and budding cellist, Nikhil is excited to join First Racquet inspired by his sister’s dedication to this wonderful cause. He looks forward to using his love of tennis to give back and inspire tennis players in Angola where he spent his initial formative years.

Nikhil Naha

Sugar land, tx

Brooke Yu (Houston, TX)

Brooke Yu is a Class of 2028 student at the Kinkaid School in Houston. She is a passionate tennis player who loves both the competition and the friendships the sport creates. As a certified roaming official, she helps educate junior and adult players, and even parents, while promoting fairness, respect, and sportsmanship. In addition, she has served as a fashion model for Houston Tennis Association’s Annual Fundraising Gala for the past four years, combining her love for tennis fashion with community engagement and leadership. Brooke believes tennis is more than just a game, indeed it is a way to bring people together, support one another, and create lasting friendships on and off the court.

Brooke Yu

Houston, Texas