Matthew Bransky, a recipient of the Good Kid Award, celebrates success with his tennis program tailored for children with autism.
by Karyn Brodsky
Benjamin Franklin’s saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person,” might have resonated with his approval for Dallas’s own Matthew Bransky, whose diligent efforts stand out.
The 17-year-old son of Adrienne and Aaron Bransky is introducing ACEing Autism, a specialized tennis initiative for autistic children, into his community. With a younger brother, Josh, who has autism, Matthew has long been committed to supporting him and raising awareness about the condition. He believes that ACEing Autism perfectly aligns with his passion and family’s mission.
Starting a new tennis initiative is a challenging task, especially for someone like Matthew, who has numerous commitments. He serves as an ambassador at the Parish Episcopal School in Dallas and is part of the tennis team, the Quiz Bowl team, the National Honor Society, and the school’s drumline. Additionally, he is enrolled in an online course offered by NASA and will be participating in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge Contest in Huntsville, Alabama, later this year.
As part of his graduation requirements, Matthew must complete 15 hours of community service annually. In prior years, he organized a school team to participate in the Autism Speaks walk. However, this year he took a different approach. After seeing a promotional spot for ACEing Autism on the Tennis Channel, he discovered that there wasn’t an active chapter in Dallas. Motivated, he collaborated with his mother, Adrienne, to launch this program. “While this initiative may not ‘cure’ autism, it provides a more interactive experience,” Matthew remarks. “With ACEing Autism, we can witness firsthand the positive effects of tennis on the children and their families.”
As Adrienne manages the marketing, Matthew focuses on reaching out to potential volunteers, primarily his classmates, while a close friend is tasked with recruiting students interested in the tennis lessons. Thanks to partnerships with organizations like Penn Head, which supplies equipment, and funding from the Metroplex Tennis League in Dallas, they are able to offer the classes free to 20 children on the autism spectrum. National scholarships are also accessible for families demonstrating financial need.
Alongside developing the program, both Matthew and Adrienne will be actively involved in each one-hour class each weekend. Starting March 18th, the classes are already at capacity, but a waiting list has been established, dependent on the availability of additional volunteers. For more details on future enrollment or to volunteer, visit aceingautism.org/locations/dallas-tx or email aceingautismdallas@gmail.com.
Due to his heartfelt commitment to enhancing autism awareness and assisting those affected, as well as his initiative in launching a program that cultivates social skills and self-confidence, we are pleased to honor Matthew Bransky with our Good Kids Award and a $250 scholarship.
Presented to students aged 12 to 21, the GOOD KID Award recognizes individuals who exemplify strong character, bravery, and personal principles, and who impact others without seeking acknowledgment. For their sincere dedication to supporting a person, organization, and/or community, recipients of the Good Kid Award are awarded a Certificate of Achievement along with a $250 scholarship.
