Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy Founder To Be Honored By Sarasota Sister Cities Association

The Sarasota Sister Cities Association has selected Nicholas James Bollettieri, founder of Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, and ORT, the largest Jewish educational organization in the world, to be honored at the second annual “One World” Gala on Wednesday, March 28 at .

This distinguished award honors individuals and organizations that enhance world understanding and respect through their extraordinary work or volunteer service.

The “One World” Award Selection Committee received several nominations from the public, SSCA members, local ethnic groups that now sponsor Sarasota’s eight sister cities, and the SSCA’s many alliance members. The selection committee is chaired by Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell and includes Fulton Lewis III, renowned network radio/relevision news commentator and lecturer; Dr. Sarash Pappas, President of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation; Steven Queior, President and CEO of Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and James Shirley, Executive Director of The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

Nicholas James Bollettieri, founder of Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, has excelled in fostering international relationships that have impacted our Cultural Coast and individuals, families and communities around the world. He has coached youth from every European and Asian nation, and his roster of students includes number one ranked tennis professionals such as Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Martina Hingis, Jelena Jankovic, Marcelo Rios, Monical Seles, Maria Sharapova and Venus and Serena Williams.

ORT America – Gulf Coast Region, a division of a 130 year-old international organization, is devoted to educating and elevating disadvantaged children across the globe with the skills needed to lead productive lives. The ORT schools educate 30,000 Jewish and non-Jewish students daily in Israel, Argentina, Mexico and many other countries around the world. In Sarasota, many ORT supporters, known as “Ortists,” have dedicated their lives to ORT’s work.

The Sarasota Sister Cities Association “One World” Gala is open for the public to purchase tickets for $125 or $250 for a patron admission. Sponsorships are also available. The event is Wednesday, March 28 at 6:30pm at Michael’s On East. To learn more or make a reservation for Sarasota Sister Cities Association “One World” Gala, contact Chairwoman Jane Thompson, owner of Thompson Resources, LLC at jane@thompson-resources.com or David Harralson at dharralson@comcast.net.