Matthew Bransky, a Good Kid Award winner, achieves success with tennis program designed for autistic children.
by Karyn Brodsky
Benjamin Franklin once remarked, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” Although he never had the chance to meet Matthew Bransky from Dallas, it’s easy to imagine Franklin would have admired his initiatives.
Seventeen-year-old Matthew, the son of Adrienne and Aaron Bransky, is introducing ACEing Autism, an educational tennis initiative aimed at children with autism, to his local community. With his 14-year-old brother, Josh, on the autism spectrum, Matthew has always been passionate about raising awareness for autism and supporting his sibling. He views ACEing Autism as a perfect opportunity to promote a cause that holds significant meaning for him and his family.
Starting a new tennis program is no small feat, especially for someone as active as Matthew. He is an ambassador for the Parish Episcopal School in Dallas and is involved in various extracurricular activities, including the tennis and Quiz Bowl teams, the National Honor Society, and playing in the drum line. He is also enrolled in an online class through NASA and will participate in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge Contest in Huntsville, Alabama, this year.
Like his classmates, Matthew needs to complete 15 hours of community service annually for graduation. During his freshman and sophomore years, he organized a team for an Autism Speaks walk, but this year he decided to approach things differently. After seeing an advertisement about ACEing Autism on the Tennis Channel, he researched the organization and discovered that there was no active chapter in Dallas. With his mother Adrienne’s support, the pair started working to establish the program. “This initiative may not be a solution for autism, but it creates an engaging environment,” Matthew explains. “Through ACEing Autism, we aim to showcase the positive effects of tennis on the kids with autism and their families.”
While Adrienne manages the marketing aspect, Matthew focuses on rallying volunteers, primarily from his school community, while a close friend helps draw participants for the tennis sessions. ACEing Autism collaborates with partners like Penn Head for equipment provision, and the mother-son team has obtained funding from the Metroplex Tennis League in Dallas, allowing 20 children on the spectrum to attend classes at no cost. Additionally, national scholarships are accessible for families in need.
As they set the foundation for the program, both Matthew and Adrienne plan to be present for the weekly one-hour classes starting on March 18th. Although the classes are already fully booked, there is a waiting list for participants, dependent on securing more volunteers. For more information about future enrollment or to find out how to volunteer, visit aceingautism.org/locations/dallas-tx or contact aceingautismdallas@gmail.com.
In recognition of his true commitment to increasing autism awareness, supporting those affected by autism, nurturing social skills and self-esteem, and his remarkable proactive attitude, we are honored to present Matthew Bransky with our Good Kids Award and a $250 scholarship.
The GOOD KID Award is given to individuals aged 12 to 21 who exemplify outstanding character, courage, and personal integrity, and who selflessly inspire others without seeking acknowledgment for their contributions. Recipients of the Good Kid Award receive a Certificate of Achievement and a scholarship of $250 for their earnest dedication to assisting others, organizations, and their community.
