After a couple of weeks, I was back and invited again to join the YMCA Quarterback Club, except this time it was the awards recognition ceremony for our local football teams.
Walking in felt almost like the NFL Honors, with selective players chosen for the MVP award, outstanding player awards, athletic performance awards, and scholar-athletes awards. All of our local high school football teams were present that day, including Glendale High School, Glendale Community College, St. Francis High School, La Canada High School, Hoover High School, Crescenta High School, Valley High School, and Village Christian School.
It was such a special moment for everyone in that room that day, because not only were certain players chosen for these designated awards, but their own families were there to support them as well. Ultimately, these athletes were supported by their own coaches as well. Being chosen as an MVP is such a huge honor, and it is showcasing your talent and the foundation that you worked so hard for an entire season.
Just before each coach gave their speeches to everyone in the room, we had incredible speakers at that event. These speakers included current chairman Kevin Danni, co-chair of the scholarship committee Spiro Psaltis, our football coach Manuel Lemus, and news anchor at KABC-TV Marc Brown.
Meeting Marc Brown, and shaking his hand, was a wonderful experience. He introduced me to what the journalism industry is all about and what he has sacrificed to reach where he is today. He is someone whom I look up to as an inspiration for where I want to be in the future.
Jumping into the awards, Coach Lemus gave such a well-written speech to his honored players, senior Rudy Cuellar and sophomore Arman Papazyan. Before having Arman on the team, Coach Lemus had the pleasure of training his older brother, Gevork. Unfortunately, he had to sit out because of the injury that sidelined him for the whole season. However, Coach Lemus definitely saw a spark of talent in Arman as a running back, and at that time, he was only a freshman.
Throughout winter and off-season workouts, Arman showed determination and ability in his love for football. What astonished Coach Lemus was that he was only a sophomore, and not even a senior. Coach Lemus is looking forward to the next two years and can’t wait to see what Arman will bring to the table for the Nitro team.
Over the recent summer, Arman attended the UCLA High School Football Camps, and it was like a 180-degree turn for him. He came back with a new and different mindset for the 2025 football season. He saw what running backs are in the real world and what he had to achieve to reach their level. Because of this, Arman was chosen as the outstanding player of the year.
The next one was a close call, but Rudy Cuellar was the lucky one. He has played for the GHS football team for three years, beginning his sophomore year, as a wide receiver. Every season, he has been performing the hardest he possibly can, both on and off the field. Rudy is definitely one of the leaders on the team for everyone, including Coach Lemus. For his achievements, Rudy Cuellar received the scholar-athlete award.
Sitting at the Glendale High table, I could see the joy and gratitude the players had for their coach. He also expressed so much love for them for being who they are and the enthusiasm they have for the sport they love sincerely. Overall, it was a remarkable moment for both of these star athletes. Being selected for these honors shows how special they are, especially since they are representing their team out of forty-five players.
Again, I would like to send my appreciation to Coach Lemus, Spiro Psaltis, and Kevin Danni for inviting me to this wonderful event and for their continuing support of my progress as a journalist.
