39 Santa Clara County High School Senior Student-Athletes Awarded 2021 REACH Youth Scholarships Totaling $83,000
25TH EDITION OF ANNUAL REACH AWARDS BROADCAST ON NBC SPORTS BAY AREA
Media Contact: Carrie Benjamin – Director of Events / San Jose Sports Authority / (408) 288-2936 / carrie@sjsa.org
SAN JOSE (June 23, 2020) – Thirty-nine Santa Clara County high school seniors will receive REACH Youth Scholarships totaling $83,000 from the San Jose Sports Authority over the next four years, it was announced during the 2021 REACH Youth Scholarship Awards Show, presented by Heritage Bank of Commerce, which premiered tonight, Wednesday, June 23, 2021 on the regional sports network NBC Sports Bay Area at 8 p.m. (A detailed breakdown of the scholarship awards follows.)
REACH is an acronym for Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard Work. The San Jose Sports Authority established the REACH scholarship program in 1996 and announced the first class of recipients in 1997, making this year’s recipients the 25th class of student-athletes to receive the honor.
For the second time in its 25-year history, the REACH awards were announced during a television broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area in place of the program’s traditional, in-person celebration, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both local high school sports calendars and event planning timelines.
NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and FIFA World Cup Champion Brandi Chastain are the Honorary Co-Chairs of the program and provided congratulatory and motivational remarks in the broadcast.
Robert Braunstein and Aubrie Tolliver, Co-Hosts of the 49ers Cal-Hi Sports Report, served as hosts of the REACH broadcast and announced the $83,000 in total scholarship awards that will be distributed over the next four years.
The REACH Youth Scholarship Program relies entirely on sponsorships and individual contributions for its funding. This year’s donations came from presenting sponsor Heritage Bank of Commerce; technology sponsor Qualcomm; four community sponsors, Berliner Cohen, Intero, The Olander Company Inc., and Steve Hallgrimson Foundation; as well as numerous anonymous and individual contributors.
As this year’s technology sponsor, Qualcomm also presented new Google Chromebook laptops, made by Acer and powered by Qualcomm, to the top 11 scholarship recipients.
In addition to the video messages from Lott and Chastain, the broadcast includes congratulatory remarks from:
- Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers
- Cianna Elmazaj, Archbishop Mitty High School, Santa Clara Univ., 2020-21 NCAA Women’s Soccer Champion
- James Jones, Gunderson High School, San Jose State Univ., Green Bay Packers; Super Bowl Champion;
2003 REACH Youth Scholarship winner, 2021 SJ Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (ceremony in Nov. 2021) - Sam Liccardo, Mayor of the City of San José
- Devyn Lopez, Overfelt High School; 2019 REACH Youth Scholarship winner now attending UC Berkeley
- Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks, who this year became the NHL’s all-time leader in games played
- Jim Plunkett, James Lick HS, Stanford Univ., Oakland/LA Raiders; 2x Super Bowl Champion, Heisman Trophy winner, 1995 SJ Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, and one of the first honorary co-chairs of the REACH Youth Scholarship Program
- Dawn Sweatt, Chairperson of the 2021 REACH Youth Scholarship Selection Committee
“The scholarship recipients are an inspiring group of students who, despite difficult circumstances, have excelled and exhibit a spirit of tenacity.” said John Poch, executive director of the San Jose Sports Authority. “As an avid supporter of youth sports in our community, the Sports Authority is proud to partner with Heritage Bank of Commerce to honor the achievements of these outstanding young graduates.”
Application Process for the REACH Youth Scholarship
Each spring, the REACH program invites every Santa Clara County high school to nominate up to five senior student-athletes for consideration. This year, 39 nominated students from 21 schools submitted applications, which included an essay question about overcoming adversity and the role of playing sports had on the student-athletes’ lives.
A panel of local community leaders then evaluated the applications and selected eleven (11) students to receive the top scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 as well the new Qualcomm-powered Chromebooks. The other 28 REACH scholarship finalists will each receive a $250 scholarship.
Additional information about the San Jose Sports Authority, the REACH Youth Scholarship Program, the broadcast schedule and this year’s scholarship recipients follows in the next three pages.
Supplemental Documents that follow:
- REACH broadcast schedule, REACH social media accounts, About the SJSA.org
- 2021 REACH Youth Scholarship Award Recipients – Top 11
- 2021 REACH Youth Scholarship Award Finalists
REACH Youth Scholarship Awards Broadcast Schedule (all times PDT)
| Broadcast | Date & Time | Channel / URL |
| Broadcast Premiere | Wednesday, June 23, at 8 p.m. | NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Livestream Premiere | Wednesday, June 23, at 8 p.m. | http://stream.nbcsports.com/rsn/nbcs-bay-area-event |
| Repeat Broadcast | Wednesday, June 23, at 8:30 p.m. | NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Repeat Broadcast | Thursday, June 24, at 4 p.m. | NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Repeat Broadcast | Thursday, June 24, at 4:30 p.m. | NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Repeat Broadcast | Wednesday, June 23, at 10 p.m. | NBC Sports California |
| Repeat Broadcast | Wednesday, June 23, at 10:30 p.m. | NBC Sports California |
| Repeat Broadcast | Thursday, June 24, at 7 p.m. | NBC Sports California |
Key Links & Social Accounts for the REACH Youth Scholarship
Dedicated Fundraising Site GiveButter.com/REACH2021
REACH on SJSA website SJSA.org/REACH
Facebook @ReachYouthScholarship
Instagram @ReachYouthScholarship
Twitter @REACH_Scholar
Hashtag #REACH2021
About the San Jose Sports Authority (www.sjsa.org)
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 REACH Youth Scholarship Program.
2021 REACH Youth Scholarship Award Recipients | Top 11
In addition to the scholarship award listed below, these 11 students each received a new
Google Chromebook, courtesy of this year’s technology sponsor, Qualcomm.
Alexander Huizar $30,000/over 4 years
Downtown College Prep (DCP) Alum Rock High School | Basketball
Teammates are like family, and that was exactly what Alex needed – and found – when he joined the basketball team. The journey has been difficult, but the future is bright for this accomplished young man.
Rachel McCarroll $30,000/over 4 years
Leigh High School | Softball, Water Polo, Basketball, Volleyball
After the traumatic loss of her father, Rachel turned to her mom and sisters for support and to sports for a sense of normalcy. When she takes the field, she honors her dad and the values he instilled in her, including appreciation for life.
Brynn Boise-Fults $5,000
St. Francis High School | Field Hockey, Lacrosse
After years of chaos and trauma in her immediate family, Brynn found stability after moving in with her aunt and uncle. With their love and support, Brynn flourished in school and on the lacrosse field. She plans to pursue a career in youth advocacy.
Michelle Lu $2,500
Oak Grove High School | Volleyball, Basketball
During the last month of her father’s life, Michelle was a volleyball student-athlete during the day and a caretaker at night. Balancing her grief and her growth after his passing reminded her that she can only control how she responds to difficult situations.
Nathaniel Jim $2,000
Andrew P. Hill High School | Basketball
During their many years in foster care, Nate and his brothers found a safe haven in sports–chiefly basketball. Fueled by his love for the game and strengthened through hardship, Nate knows his parents are with him in spirit.
Alexandra J. Céron $1,500
Los Gatos High School | Wrestling
After three deaths in her family and other challenges, school and the gym were Alexandra’s go-to place for strength and stability. As Alexandra described in her essay, “You know how duct tape can fix everything? Wrestling is my duct tape.”
Amy Cortes Solis $1,000
William C. Overfelt High School | Soccer
When multiple health issues hit her family–one serious diagnosis after another—Amy found friendship, fun and sanity on the soccer field. She understands how fragile life can be as well as the value of her own health and wellbeing.
Isabella Gallegos $1,000
Willow Glen High School | Softball, Volleyball
Isa’s hearing disorder made school maddeningly difficult, but softball motivated her not to give up. The hard work paid off, as she now has a system for success that will serve her well for years to come.
Brandon Krish $1,000
Los Gatos High School | Cross Country, Track & Field
A psychologist “slapped him with a bunch of diagnoses,” but Brandon got the last laugh. After success in other areas, he took up cross-country, made some great friendships, became an award-winning filmmaker and found his fun-loving sense of self.
Yada Sotheara Pak $1,000
Andrew P. Hill High School | Basketball
When life gets to be too much, Yada turns to basketball because the sport never disappoints. It’s a stress-reliever, motivator, source of fun and place to learn. As Yada writes, basketball is the “bright side.”
John Michael Santiago $1,000
William C. Overfelt High School | Volleyball
Even without a coach and a small roster, John’s volleyball team is a success story. He and his teammates worked tirelessly to keep the program alive, earning the respect of school administrators and forging unbreakable bonds of friendship.
2021 REACH Youth Scholarship Finalists
The following 28 students will receive a $250 scholarship.
| Student-Athlete | School | Sport(s) |
| Flor Aguilar | Eastside College Preparatory School | Volleyball, Track & Field, Cross Country |
| Alice Barbieri | Leigh High School | Soccer, Track & Field |
| Ryan Davis | Willow Glen High School | Football, Baseball, Powerlifting |
| Kyle DeSchryver | Los Gatos High School | Soccer |
| Connor Dodd | Los Gatos High School | Football, Lacrosse |
| Anthony Gianni Aranda Dulay | Downtown College Prep (DCP) Alum Rock High School | Basketball |
| Isaiah Frazier | Wilcox High School | Basketball |
| Jay Gage OR Jay (Dylan) Gage | Roberto Cruz Leadership Academy (RCLA) | Basketball, Baseball |
| Connor Gambelin | Archbishop Mitty High School | Football, Lacrosse |
| Zoe Hackel | Prospect High School | Field Hockey, Basketball |
| Guy Haiby | Homestead High School | Football |
| Andrea Hernandez | William C. Overfelt High School | Soccer |
| Ethan Huang | Mountain View High School | Volleyball |
| Jessi Jha | Mountain View High School | Cross Country, Track |
| Zo Kuba | Del Mar High School | Track, Football |
| Carson Ledesma | Branham High School | Wrestling, Baseball, Football |
| Dayanira Elena Leon Rodriguez | Latino College Preparatory Academy | Cross Country, Softball |
| Marvin Linares | Eastside College Preparatory School | Soccer, Cross Country |
| Nathan Montero | Downtown College Prep (DCP) Alum Rock High School | Cross Country, Basketball |
| Diana K Murillo | Andrew P. Hill High School | Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer |
| Dang An Ngo | Andrew P. Hill High School | Swimming |
| Gisselle Ponce | William C. Overfelt High School | Soccer |
| Florencia Porras | Branham High School | Volleyball, Basketball |
| Leia Alizé Punsalan | Silver Creek High School | Volleyball, Basketball, Track |
| Axel Ramos | William C. Overfelt High School | Wrestling |
| Jalen T. Rios | Live Oak High School | Football, Track |
| Mone Sekiguchi | Los Altos High School | Basketball |
| Janet Zamudio Rueda | Downtown College Prep (DCP) Alum Rock High School | Golf, Volleyball, Soccer |