27th ANNUAL REACH YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS -2023

2023 FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

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REACH SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

TECHNOLOGY SPONSOR

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

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Davidson Family Foundation

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TRACY TOYOTA

IN-KIND SPONSORS

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS

Aduro Advisors Kraig Constantino

WELCOME

REACH Welcome to the 27th Annual REACH Youth Scholarship Awards Breakfast

The San Jose Sports Authority hosted its first youth scholarship program in the 1996-97 academic year. The REACH (Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard work) Youth Scholarship Program is designed for high school seniors who have overcome adversity and excel in both academics and athletics. Now in its 27th year, the program continues to grow and includes more than 50 public and private high schools in Santa Clara County.

The REACH Youth Scholarship’s honorary co-chairs are Ronnie Lott and Brandi Chastain. This program is made possible by the generous support of the sponsors of the San Jose Sports Authority, City of San Jose, media, businesses and schools.

The REACH Youth Scholarship program is proud to recognize and honor these South Bay high school seniors. Thank you for your support of this 27th annual celebration of San Jose's youth community.

REACH Youth Scholarship SELECTION COMMITTEE

Dawn Sweatt, Chair | Berliner Cohen Audie Amirkiai | San Jose Earthquakes Dr. Cole Armstrong | San Jose State University Ginna Baldassarre | Adobe Kraig Constantino | Intero Foundation Jennifer Cosgrove | Intero Foundation David Grissom | CCS Amy Linton | Arcadis Jacqueline-Rochelle Lopez | Team San Jose Derek Michelson | San Jose Sharks Elizabeth Narwal | Aduro Advisors Rahul Patel | Qualcomm Sal Pizarro | Mercury News Neil Santiago | Heritage Bank of Commerce Cindy Su | Advantage Homes Jennifer Wilson-Pitzen | NTC Foundation Geri Wong | Newmark

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Thanks to our close proximity to area attractions, you’ll enjoy more than just an amazing stay at the gorgeous San Jose Marriott.

With plush accommodations,a relaxing outdoor pool, incredible on-site dining at Coastal Manor, the exciting nightlife at our very own Cobre & Clay, and so much more, you’ll find the perfect interlude to adventure.

301 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113 Phone: 408.280.1300, SanJoseMarriott.com

Thank you to CARRIE BENJAMIN, Director of the REACH Youth Scholarship Program for the past 17 years!

Thanks to Carrie’s extraordinary efforts, REACH has grown from an award and recognition breakfast to a scholarship fund distributing over $50,000 annually to deserving Santa Clara County high school graduating seniors who have overcome adversity through sport. We are all extremely proud of the legacy that Carrie has left for REACH and grateful for her hard work over the years resulting in our ongoing success of the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. Thank you again for an amazing seventeen years of service and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Thank you!

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EVENT TIMELINE

27th Annual REACH Youth Scholarship Awards Breakfast MASTER OF CEREMONIES Robert Braunstein Executive Producer and Host of 49ers Cal-Hi Sports Report

WELCOME INTRODUCTIONS Matt Mahan Mayor of San Jose

Ronnie Lott

NFL Hall of Famer & Philanthropist

Brandi Chastain

FIFA Women’s World Cup & Olympic Champion

SPECIAL GUESTS PRESENTATION OF STUDENT ATHLETES 2023 REACH YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PRESENTATION CLOSING REMARKS Video Production by Robert Braunstein, Adrian Soriano & Jake Vanderbrack Event Photography by Terrell Lloyd For photos and videos of today’s event, please visit www.sjsa.org

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2023 REACH NOMINEES

DYLAN ALLINSON Basketball, Baseball

TANIA ANDRADE

Cross Country, Soccer Track & Field

The first years of high school presented many obstacles for Dylan.

Overcoming the loss of a parent and trauma of surviving a mass shooting, Dylan dedicated himself to basketball and became a team leader. Gilroy High School As a self-taught track and field athlete, Tania demonstrated the passion required to become an elite thrower. Her success empowered belief in her capabilities as a student-athlete.

Latino College Prep

RAFAEL ARCE

Rafael’s mother and baby brother suffered from poor health conditions and were hospitalized during his first wrestling season. This took a toll on his mental health and wrestling became his lifeline.

On the mat he learned to keep fighting through difficult times and one can persevere in unlikely circumstances. Los Altos High School

DIEGO ATWELL

Diego and his brother were adopted from Columbia and came to the United States when he was 14. Faced with challenges of learning a new language and lifestyle, football helped him meet new friends, focus on school and taught him valuable lessons about dedication and resiliency. Milpitas High School

STUART CASH

A baseball collision diving into third base shattered Stuart’s kidney.

Determined to reach his ultimate goal of playing college baseball, he battled through a grueling recovery process and will compete at the next level in the sport he loves. Los Altos High School

RICHARD CHAVIRA

In his mother’s absence participating in basketball offered support from coaches and teammates. Richard’s commitment as team captain helped players keep a healthy perspective as they navigated difficult times together as one unit. Luis Valdez Leadership Academy

GIOVANNA CRUZ

Soccer empowered Giovanna to break free from negativity in her life. The sport allowed the opportunity to meet new people, provided lessons about resiliency and created a deeper connection with her parents. Eastside College Prep

Football, Wrestling, Track & Field

Football

Basketball, Baseball

Basketball

Volleyball, Soccer

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2023 REACH NOMINEES

Early in life Rex was diagnosed with petit mal epilepsy which developed into grand mal seizures causing him to struggle in school and sports. With encouragement from his family, he regained control over his dreams to play college basketball and success on the court gave him confidence. He is now a beacon of hope for other athletes with epilepsy. Pioneer High School Adventuring into a new sport, Jillian initially struggled with confidence in her ability to play tennis. After losing her grandpa, tennis became an outlet to help clear her mind and boosted her self-confidence. Independence High School As a member of the Latino and LGBTQ+ communities, Rafael found it difficult to be himself without losing relationships with friends and family members. His participation in sports gave him the space to develop into the person he was destined to be. Now with the support of his parents, family and community he wants to be a source of inspiration for his peers. Henry M. Gunn High School Edward experienced a family tragedy during his freshman year. In the face of adversity, he took on financial responsibilities while balancing his school work and sports. This commitment to his family carries over in the devotion to his water polo team where he thrived in a leadership role as team captain. Milpitas High School Being of multicultural heritage, identity challenges can be present.

Sports helped Trinity realize her purpose in life - continuing to love and be kind to others because everyone is going through their own hardships. Fremont High School In constant pursuit to improve her communication skills, sports gave Tiffany the practice needed to hone in on her strengths. Applying what she learned as a runner she organized the largest homecoming dance in school history. Milpitas High School A surfing accident left Brandon completely paralyzed from the waist down from a rare spinal cord condition known as Surfer’s Myelopathy. Brandon’s courage never wavered. Taking inspiration from those who supported him he discovered para sports and found new hope in pursuit of Paralympic gold. Los Altos High School

REX DENKER

Basketball, Golf

JILLIAN HARRISON Tennis

RAFAEL HURTADOALVAREZ Track & Field Cheerleading

EDWARD IEONG Water Polo

TRINITY LEE

Basketball, Track & Field

TIFFANY LIEU

Cross Country, Track & Field

BRANDON LOUIE

Basketball, Track & Field

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2023 REACH NOMINEES

KAREN LUNA

Possessing a natural running ability, Karen raced year-round. Although the loss of a loved one presented feelings of grief and sadness she continued onward and experienced the joy of accomplishing her goals. Andrew Hill High School

ESTRELLA MACIAS

Life circumstances caused Estrella to grow up fast. As a parent figure to her siblings, she helped them navigate homelessness and the loss of their sister. Despite these extreme challenges, she will attend college and is motivated to find new solutions to reinvent the homeless shelters she once lived in.

Cross Country, Track & Field

Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field

Andrew Hill High School

LEYNA MAI

The hardships of being a girl on an all-boys wrestling team presented intimidating risks to Leyna. Fearless in her pursuit to break barriers, she is applying what she learned on the mat to advocate for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Milpitas High School

JULIAN MARTINEZ

Seeking a new challenge, Julian joined the basketball team to develop his leadership skills. Through hard work he became a motivating team captain and an off the court mentor to his sister.

Luis Valdez Leadership Academy

NOAH MATTESON

The pandemic forced Noah to train for soccer on his own. With track and field being the first sport offered post pandemic, he saw it as an opportunity to train for the sport he loved most. Having the chance to play sports taught him how to put the team first and hustle to achieve his goals. The King’s Academy

NATALIE MCCARROLL

The sudden loss of her father, left Natalie’s family in a difficult position. With the support of her mom and sisters, she continued playing sports and assembled the inaugural water polo team at her high school. Now her sights are set on playing college water polo and thanks her dad for inspiring her to discover her own potential.

Wrestling, Water Polo, Track & Field

Basketball

Soccer, Football, Track & Field

Basketball, Swimming, Water Polo

Leigh High School

TJ MCGEE

Soccer, Cross Country, Softball

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The loss of her grandmother created feelings of loneliness and hopelessness for TJ. Feeling lost, she acted and found a supportive community of coaches and teammates. Luis Valdez Leadership Academy

2023 REACH NOMINEES

Experiencing a unique middle school environment, Xander felt overwhelmed with the fast pace high school schedule. Participation in athletic programs helped him adapt and develop the tools needed for success in his new environment. Monta Vista High School Isabelle moved from France to the United States during high school and had to adjust quickly to her new surroundings. Never losing sight of her goals, she worked hard to overcome obstacles and found a sense of purpose through involvement in sports.

XANDER MOMMER

Baseball, Football

ISABELLE MORET

Cross Country, Track & Field

Branham High School

Starting a new life in a different country presented a unique set of challenges for Shunsuke. Fearless in his pursuit of higher education, he will compete in swim collegiately while studying to assist people in living healthier lives. Henry M. Gunn High School

SHUNSUKE MORIDAIRA

Playing tennis allowed Shirley to understand the importance of teamwork. Her courage to ask others for help gave a deeper meaning to the quote “teamwork makes the dream work”.

SHIRLEY NGUYEN

When Joshua’s surgery was canceled due to the pandemic, he began teaching himself physical therapy to help alleviate his condition that kept him out of sports. His new-found knowledge paid off and he was able to avoid surgery and return to the court.

JOSHUA NOGUEZ

Swimming

Tennis

Independence High School

Football, Volleyball

Andrew Hill High School

Growing up, Esmeralda felt pressure to be physically fit and succeed academically. She played sports year-round and reclaimed her self-confidence. She will study engineering to help give back to her community. Luis Valdez Leadership Academy Basketball was introduced to Marrielle by her father and family.

Along her journey she disproved stereotypes and took pride in her craft. She wants the time and effort spent to improve her athletic ability to be a source of inspiration for the next generation.

ESMERALDA ORTIZ

Basketball, Softball, Cross Country

MARIELLE PENORINGAN Basketball, Volleyball

Independence High School

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2023 REACH NOMINEES

KARSON PHAN

Football, Basketball

Karson battled to bounce back after experiencing a seizure while playing basketball. The road to recovery tested his desire to continue playing, nevertheless his passion outweighed his fear. He continued to excel and is preparing to play college basketball.

Yerba Buena High School

TAYDEN PHILLIPS

Football, Basketball

Heart surgery halted Tayden’s dreams of playing sports in high school and beyond. After enduring years of recovery, he received medical clearance to participate in sports again. His love for the sport of football propelled him past adversity and onto a college football field this fall. Lincoln High School

EDGAR QUEZADA Edgar’s grandparents were everything to him growing up.

They always supported his athletic endeavors. Even though his PADILLA Football, Track & Field

grandparents are not here today, they would be proud of his perseverance through injury and hardship. Gunderson High School

SAHIL RAJ

A painful injury caused Sahil to miss his entire track season. When he returned in the fall for cross country he qualified for the state championship meet and learned tough times are only temporary and to keep a positive perspective. Milpitas High School

ISAAC ROMERO

A soccer injury sidelined Isaac for years. His journey to recovery was an uphill journey where he lacked motivation and felt depressed.

Conquering all emotional and physical barriers, he returned to the soccer field with a greater understanding of his inner self.

Basketball, Track & Field, Cross Country

Soccer, Track & Field

Oak Grove High School

LUCAS SAMSON

Water Polo, Baseball, Basketball, Swim

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Lucas never let his Autism diagnosis keep him from playing the sport he loved. Instead, he used water polo as a vehicle to develop his communication skills and became team MVP as a result.

Milpitas High School

2023 REACH NOMINEES

Hector took it upon himself to learn the game of soccer. His passion to play and be a good teammate created lasting memories throughout his high school career. Later in life, he wants to reciprocate the support of loved ones to his own family. Andrew Hill High School

Mayra has worked tirelessly to ease the financial strain on her family. Balancing an AP class schedule and working for the family business, Mayra also found time to be a three-sport athlete.

She viewed her busy life as an opportunity to sharpen her time management skills and persevere against all odds.

HECTOR SANDOVAL

Soccer

MAYRA JESENIA SUAREZ CASTILLEJOS Cross Country, Volleyball

Luis Valdez Leadership Academy

Overcoming a learning disability and battling through injuries are just a few of the obstacles Skylar conquered. The close-knit bond and friendships she developed with teammates is what she will remember most about playing sports. Saint Francis High School

SKYLAR TUCH

Cross Country, Basketball

Distance learning introduced hardships for Uriel both academically and athletically. After returning to school in person, he credits his involvement in volleyball and soccer to work past these difficulties.

URIEL VELAZQUEZ-LEON

Growing up, Athena relied on her grandmother’s support and care.

Her participation in soccer gave her the courage and strength to overcome the obstacles she faced. DCP El Primero High School

ATHENA VIVEROS

Soccer, Volleyball

Eastside College Prep

Motivated to rise above the hurdles of her home life, June rode her bike every day to tennis practice. Immersed in her sport, she became team captain and found a community that became her new home. Yerba Buena High School

Soccer, Cross Country, Track & Field

JUNE VO Tennis

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27 Years of Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard Work

TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE REACH PROGRAM, SCAN HERE >> SJSA.ORG/REACH Now in its 27th year, the REACH Youth Scholarship is a program of the San Jose Sports Authority that recognizes student-athletes who have overcome adversity to excel both academically and athletically. Each spring, the high schools of Santa Clara County are invited to participate in the program by nominating qualified student-athletes for consideration. To date, REACH has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarship funds to hundreds of remarkable student-athletes. The program relies entirely on the generosity of its sponsors and individual contributors for funding.

The San Jose Sports Authority launched the program in 1997 to shine a light on how sports can be a force for good in a young person’s life, especially during difficult times. While each student-athlete’s story is unique, they have in common their experiences with personal pain and hardship as well as resilience and fortitude. Also universal is their love of sport, appreciation of the support of their families, friends, coaches and mentors. Today, the REACH Youth Scholarship Program is an enduring source of inspiration, encouragement and promise for the future. @ReachYouthScholarship

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@ReachYouthScholarship

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@REACH_Scholar

The San Jose Sports Authority is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City’s sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract or host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program.

John Poch | Executive Director Darren Centi | Director of Events

SJSA.ORG |

@sjsauthority

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@sanjosesports

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@sjsauthority

THANK YOU

FINAL NOTES To the 2023 REACH Youth Scholarship Finalists: Thank you for being a part of this year’s program and sharing your stories with us. We wish you the best!

THANK YOU

2023 PARTICIPATING HIGH SCHOOLS

also, to every parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, extended family member, school administrator, guidance counselor, teacher, athletic director, coach, mentor, faith leader and friend, as well as anyone not listed here, who serves as a positive influence and role model in the lives of the students of San Jose and Santa Clara County. You inspire us to REACH.

Andrew P. Hill High School Branham High School Eastside College Prep DCP El Primero High School Fremont High School Gilroy High School Henry M. Gunn High School Independence High School The King’s Academy Gunderson High School Latino College Prep Academy Leigh High School Lincoln High School Los Altos High School Luis Valdez Leadership Academy Milpitas High School Monta Vista High School Oak Grove High School Pioneer High School Saint Francis High School Yerba Buena High School

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TESTIMONIAL

DEVYN LOPEZ 2019 REACH Youth Scholarship Recipient Overfelt High School UC Berkeley, Class of 2023

“REACH gave me the platform not only to share my own story but also to stand for countless other survivors of sexual abuse. The scholarship was a blessing that alleviated the weight of guilt and silence that had burdened my life for many years, too. Being one of the scholarship recipients from my community also allowed me to demonstrate how those of us from East Side San Jose rise from concrete. REACH recognizes the adversity student-athletes may face as well as the grit and resilience it takes to come out thriving. Now that I am at Cal... (I see) how REACH makes a difference in higher education for students like myself. I will carry my life-changing experience with REACH forever!”

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Supporting Our Community for Over 25 Years Heritage Bank of Commerce is a proud supporter of:

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