By Mandy Tzoc Rodriguez, Correspondent
The Tournament of Roses and colleges are historically linked. The great college football moments at the Rose Bowl Game each January are the stuff of legend.
The tournament has gone a step further this year, to honor local scholar athletes.
On May 17, the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF) celebrated its inaugural Scholar-Athelete Awards in girls flag football at the Tournament of Roses House.
This ceremony commemorated young women’s achievements on and off the field, bringing together families, coaches, school representatives and Olympians, Samantha Dirks and Gia Trevisan, to recognize their accomplishments.
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The NFF chapter awarded four scholar-athletes nominees with $500 scholarships for academic achievement, athletic excellence and community service: Michaela Aston (Alhambra High School), Sophia Farrar (Charter Oak High School), Reagan Herrman (Glendora High School) and Alina Valdivia (Montebello High School).
With the scholarships, the nominees were also given 2027 CPP Quarterfinal tickets to the 113th Rose Bowl Game coming up this Jan. 1.
“I’m excited about this scholarship, because I know my brother inspired me to play flag football and I know that when I heard my name being called, he popped into my head,” shares Alina Valdivia, scholarship recipient from Montebello High School. “I really hope I made him proud this season.”
The ceremony spotlighted 28 high school senior girls flag football players from the San Gabriel Valley, who were recognized for their athletic excellence on the football field and for their outstanding academic achievements.
Board members of the NFF Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter, James and Anna Park, presented each scholar-athlete nominee with a commemorative plaque by Mason Bryant.
“You are leaders and you’re going to receive awards, so when you go back to your school on Monday, you need to let the younger classmates know what this is about. You are a positive role model for seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students who will look up to you for your leadership,” said Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley NFF President Tony Ortega to the scholar-atheletes.
The awards event’s purpose is to recognize the achievements and development by the scholar-athletes within academics, athletics, leadership and community services. The Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley NFF Chapter and the Tournament of Roses have maintained a long-established relationship supporting the scholar-athletes within their academic and athletic development.
“Moments like this are what community is all about. You see the pride, the support and the hard work behind every one of these students,” said Tournament of Roses President Terry Madigan. “We’re proud to support these scholarships alongside the NFF and continue a long-standing relationship centered on recognizing scholar-athletes who lead both on and off the field. It was a privilege to welcome these young women and celebrate their achievements together.”
For more information on NFF Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter and the Scholar-Athlete program, visit footballfoundation.org.