Winning this award means more to me than any statistic or headline ever could. Not just because of the award’s connotations, but the fact that it is a culmination of the supporting people in my life, and the past four years of work. The teachers who endlessly challenged my critical thinking; the t eammates who trusted and mentored me; my parents who unconditionally supported my ambitions; and my twin brother who walked this path with me are the scaffolding of my character. It is a reminder that my work in the classroom and field has amounted to something meaningful even in the shadow of doubt and confusion in my abilities and future. I believe that a lot of character development and soul-searching comes from embracing qualities like compassion and unrelenting drive, which an award like this embodies, in addition to football. To be nominated — let alone to win amongst so many other outstanding candidates — reveals the positive shift we have collectively made in our programs, schools, and larger communities, as well as the character my environment has shaped me to be. Reflecting on my high school football career, the people I’ve been surrounded with over the last four years outshine all of the awards and recognition for my skill. Looking back at myself four years ago, I see a kid who embraced effort; who showed up brand new to the sport amongst kids who had played their whole lives, trying to carve out a spot. High school football was nothing more than a byproduct of the grit I learned from my parents, peers, and the four years in the program. The high school football experience is something unique: the brotherhood, the mentorship, and the hardship. Colorado is home to several household football names, and being considered a player worthy of this recognition speaks volumes about my efforts to make a positive footprint in this world. Additionally, being able to represent Denver Public Schools with this award for the first time since Marcus Houston is nothing but an honor. My career in high school athletics has pushed me to build on the values I already knew and apply them to real circumstances, all of which will aid my transition into the U.S. Air Force Academy as a Class Four Cadet and athlete. Elian Oliva, Northfield High School ...read more read less