Jaira McNealy is the 2024 Kevin Minor Legacy Fund Winner

CINCINNATI, OH. — Jaira McNealy, 13, captured the hearts of the Minor family through her love and perseverance for the game of tennis. McNealy has been awarded the second annual Kevin Minor Legacy Fund scholarship.

The middle-schooler, who holds a 3.63 GPA, began playing tennis at the age of seven and quickly found her calling. She says she started asking her dad to take her out to the tennis court, “daily” so she could improve her skills.

Much like the journey of the Minor sisters, tennis has become a family affair for the McNealy’s. Jaira’s little sister, Joyous, too, has found her way to the court. Both girls are trained under Matt Dektas with the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation.

After winning 38 out of the 65 matches she played in 2022, she says she’s just getting started.

“My long-term goal is to play Division 1 college tennis and use that experience to become a professional tennis player within the next 8 years,” she said. “This grant will allow me to travel and continue gaining valuable tournament experience and exposure to more national tennis competitions.”