In 2011, 14-year-old Nadia Hilton-Adams, a Junior USTA and high school all-region tennis player, won Maria Sharapova’s "Use Your Instinct" essay contest, sponsored by Tennis Channel & Head Racquet Sports. Her prize was a half-day visit and hitting session in Greenville, SC, where Maria traveled to meet her. 

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Tennis Channel captured the moment as Nadia, joined by two friends, stepped onto the court with the the grand slam champion. But for Nadia, the experience meant more than just winning. She wanted to thank Maria in the best way she knew how; giving back. 

 

Between schoolwork, practice and tournaments, Nadia spent the 6 months leading up to Maria’s scheduled arrival leading a fundraiser where she raised $12,000 for Sharapova’s favorite charity. 
 

Shortly after, Nadia worked with local leaders to provide free monthly fitness and self-esteem programs at 4 Upstate SC community centers. In 2014, Nadia accepted a full NCAA Div 1 athletic scholarship at NC A&T State University, where she helped lead the women’s tennis team to winning seasons and back-to-back MEAC Championship invitations but even while balancing college and athletics, Nadia stayed committed to service by working summers as a Nike Tennis Camp Lead Instructor in Florida as well as hosting free week-long tennis camps in Upstate SC. 

 

By 2016, Power is Giving was officially formed and continues to serve communities that need it most,