Local tennis professional Teresa Wheeler was named a Community Champion recipient from the United States Tennis Association in Portland at the annual Hall of Fame awards dinner.

Wheeler has been a tennis instructor in the Whidbey Island community for nearly two decades, heavily involved in public tennis outreach programs and developing community partnerships with the schools and the park district.

Awards were presented Oct. 25, and were given to ground-level contributors who are often the unrecognized movers and shakers that make things happen at the local level for community-based programs.

“When she arrived here from Texas, she saw a need for organized tennis classes,” Karyle Kramer said.

“She started her own business and eventually merged with our local parks district. Nearly 20 years later, Teresa is still the director of tennis in our community. Much of what she does is behind the scenes, and it’s always for the love of the game. It’s fitting that she is honored with this award.”