“The only thing I could turn to was the game of basketball.” These are the words of Myah Rodriquez in describing how she coped with her home life. The game was one thing she knew she could count on. Myah admits she was not the best player on the team, but she did not give up. She had the attitude that if she could not play the game, she was there to motivate someone who could. From then on she became her team’s biggest cheerleader.
In addition to being the spirit leader for her basketball team, Myah helped people in her community through her youth group and church and helping with food drives and passing out food to those in needs. In fact, she instills spirit in those she helps by telling them that there is nothing to be ashamed of by being here with your hand out for food- I’ve been her too and now I’m here to help you.
Although Myah had to stop playing the game of basketball in order to get a job to help support her family, she hopes that her teammates and people around her will remember her as inspiration.
The REACH Youth Scholarship Program has provided college funds to high school students over the past 16 years who have overcome adversity to excel in academics and sports. Each year, Santa Clara County high school seniors are nominated for the program, which stands for Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard Work..
The nominees and scholarship winners for 2012 were honored at the REACH Awards Breakfast, chaired by former San Francisco 49er Ronnie Lott, on April 20 at the San Jose Marriott.
Only Santa Clara County high schools may nominate students for the award, with a maximum of five nominees per school. Nominees must then complete an essay and student information form.
View PHOTOS from the REACH Youth Scholarship Awards Breakfast:
Participate in at least one sanctioned high school athletic activity,
Demonstrate community involvement,
Show the ability to overcome adversity or obstacles to reach his or her goals.
For consideration, each nominee is required to write an essay of one to three pages based on his or her experiences. The essay should focus on the obstacles they have overcome and how sports have helped them achieve their goals. Essays will be judged on content.
For more information, please call Carrie Benjamin at (408) 288-2936.
“Winning the REACH scholarship not only helped me financially, but it helped me to recognize that I have opportunities and that there will always be people there to help see me through.” – Jasmine Yanez, 2011 REACH Youth Scholarship Award Recipient
Participate in at least one sanctioned high school athletic activity,
Demonstrate community involvement,
Show the ability to overcome adversity or obstacles to reach his or her goals.
For consideration, each nominee is required to write an essay of one to three pages based on his or her experiences. The essay should focus on the obstacles they have overcome and how sports have helped them achieve their goals. Essays will be judged on content.
For more information, please call Carrie Benjamin at (408) 288-2936.
