ACE Tennis and Writing Program gives back to community

The ACE (All Court Enrichment) Summer Tennis and Writing Program for students combines physical activity with writing and art. Founded by Medford High School Tennis Coach Drew Hendrickson, ACE is offered in Medford, Cambridge and Somerville and provides scholarships to ensure inclusivity.

Each week, students are divided into groups: Champs, Hot Shots, and Future Stars. Within each group, kids make friends and build a strong sense of teamwork. ACE provides tennis instruction with a focus on playing fun, fast-paced games that keep kids moving and working together to achieve team and individual goals, teaching them how to get off screens and do more activities that will enhance their health.

One of Hendrickson’s core missions is to provide scholarships for the summer program to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent young individuals from experiencing the benefits of tennis. Last summer ACE set a goal of providing 175 scholarships, and out of the 358 students who were enrolled, 224 received a scholarship of some degree.

Because ACE recognizes the importance of the whole-child, the Medford program includes a writing/art component. Kathi O’Donoghue, who oversees the ACE program in Medford, uses a writing curriculum that encourages kids to explore, be creative and have fun with their writing. It is also designed to teach skills that will strengthen their ability to write well. A licensed English language arts teacher with over 28 years’ experience in the classroom at the middle and high school level, O’Donoghue enjoys coming up with fun yet challenging writing prompts that are complemented by an art activity to foster creativity, communication, and expression.

Hendrickson’s student-centered approach focuses on maximizing each player's potential, fostering both skill development and personal growth. Hendrickson is a seasoned tennis professional with over two decades of experience. He has played, coached, and inspired countless individuals, particularly in the Boston area. In 2018, Hendrickson launched Coach Drew Tennis, a program aimed at making tennis accessible to all ages and skill levels in Somerville and Medford. Starting with a once-a-week adult clinic at the Dilboy courts, the program has since expanded to offer year-round tennis programming for players aged 7 and up.

The ACE Summer Tennis and Writing Program costs:

• $250 per week for morning sessions
• $150 per week for afternoon sessions
• $400 per week for full days
• Scholarships are available upon request

To register in Medford, visit https://www.allcourtenrichment.org/summer-2025-register-here.