Serve First: Lovett Tennis Captains Rally Support for Atlanta Students

Senior Lovett Varsity Tennis captains Grayson Cooke and Finn Graber wrapped up a successful equipment drive through their community initiative, Serve First, which provides access to tennis for underserved students across Atlanta.

During fall 2025, Lovett families donated new and gently used rackets, balls, shoes, bags, and other gear to support the Booker T. Washington High School Tennis Team. Supporters could also contribute funds through a dedicated website, helping expand Serve First’s reach and impact.

From Experience to Action

Serve First began after the captains witnessed inequality firsthand.

“We took action after my team competed against a school that arrived two hours late due to transportation issues, with players sharing rackets, lacking uniforms, and sustaining injuries as a result of unsafe shoes,” said Grayson. “We started our project, and soon after, Benjamin Mays High School reached out to us for help.”

That experience inspired the pair to focus on equity in athletics. Since launching Serve First, they have collected equipment and donations to support student-athletes at Benjamin E. Mays High School, Booker T. Washington High School, and other future partner schools.

The Booker T. Washington drive alone brought in 25 rackets, six tennis bags, 10 pairs of shoes, and a variety of clothes, towels, grips, and strings. Excess gear will be shared with additional schools in need.

“We’ve seen the impact of our project through the reactions of the teachers, coaches, and players,” Finn said. “Seeing students realize the equipment was all for them created a sense of fulfillment that can’t be replicated.”

An Even Greater Reach

Serve First has grown through partnerships with Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Agape Tennis Foundation, Most Valuable Kids of Atlanta, and The Field of Dreams Academy.

“Each connection led to another,” said Grayson. “Over time, those relationships turned into partnerships and sponsorships through grants or equipment donations.”

The team hopes to expand its partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods to include shoe donations and racket stringing. Agape has already supported Serve First by providing equipment and instructors for lessons.

“Our goal is to fund at least four schools before we graduate in May,” Grayson and Finn said. “We hope Serve First continues long after that. It’s given us a strong sense of purpose, and we’re excited to see where it leads.”