Clovis three-sport student-athlete Julia Hardwick wins B’nai B’rith award
Three-sport athlete Julia Hardwick of Clovis High is the winner of the 69th B’nai B’rith scholar-athlete award.
Hardwick and 15 other Fresno-area student-athletes were honored Monday.
“Honestly shocked to get it just because going up against everyone,” Hardwick said. “I don’t know what to expect, but I’m definitely thankful to get it and honored to just represent Clovis High and win that prestigious award.”
The B’nai B’rith winner is usually announced at a dinner honoring all the athletes, but that was canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hardwick maintained a 4.23 GPA while playing soccer, tennis and track and field for the Cougars. She’ll play soccer at Fresno State.
She played varsity three years in each sport at Clovis.
In tennis, she was a three-time Tri-River Athletic Conference player. In soccer, she earned All-TRAC three years and helped her team to a regional title this past season. In track and field, she was the team most valuable player and most valuable track performer, earning All-TRAC twice. She was also a state meet qualifier.
Away from competing, she was busy in Leadership, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Class of 2020 Club, UNICEF Club, Athletic Leadership Council, Daisy Chain Committee, Principal’s Advisory for Student Affairs, Class of 2020 Sport Commissioner and Social Commissioner, Student Body Treasurer, Kids Day, elementary school volunteer, summer soccer and tennis camps, Poverello House, elementary school track meets, Cougar Country BBQ volunteer, Solstice Senior Living, Special Olympics, elementary school dance volunteer, Terry’s House and Marjaree Mason Center.
Hardwick noted that past winners include Jenna Prandini, a Clovis High grad who competed in the 2016 Olympics.
“It’s definitely an honor just because the history of it and that so many great athletes like Jenna Prandini and a list of many others and I’ll be added to that list,” she said.
“It’s just incredible like to be in that position and I’m excited to see what I can do in college and see what else I can accomplish on that level.”
Other honorees
Kosi Agina, Sanger (football, track and field): He had a 4.35 GPA. His school and community activities include California Scholarship Federation, Black Student Union, Interact Club, Youth Igbo Association of Central California, youth Track Meet volunteer and church volunteer. He will purse his football career at Fresno State.
Ati Aguilar, Washington Union (cross country, soccer, softball): Finished with a 4.26 GPA. Her activities were Health Institute Program, church volunteer, elementary school special needs classroom volunteer, Community Regional Medical Center volunteer. She plans to attend Fresno State.
Bailey Arreola, Bullard (volleyball, soccer, softball): She finished with a 4.20 GPA. Her activities were sophomore class vice president, student body vice president as a junior, student body president as a senior, California Scholarship Federation life member, Homecoming Queen, Human Element Club, Spanish Club, Homecoming Chair, Leadership Team, Leukemia and Lymphoma Carnival volunteer, AP Ambassador, ASB Representative, TIKTOC Club, School Fashion Show Director, Assisteens League, Operation Bear Hug, Community Food Bank volunteer, Poverello House volunteer, thrift store volunteer, Saturday Sports, Blanket making, Read Across America, Bullard High School Sports Clinics, Break the Barriers, Reading Heart Program, Valley Animal Center. She will head to Cal Poly.
Abigail Borchers, Edison (soccer, track and field): She finished with a 3.91 GPA. Her school and community activities were French Club, Armenian Club, Drama Club, peer mentoring for developmentally disabled, drama set design, History Day participant, youth soccer volunteer, Valley STEM volunteer, developmentally disabled soccer tournament volunteer, guest writer for Fresno Sports magazine, U.S. Soccer Federation Development Academy U-16 and U-18 National Teams (currently), has traveled to 15 states, Portugal, Spain, and Japan for soccer. She is headed to Cal.
Caleb Foster, Clovis North (track and field): His GPA was a 3.44. He is the school’s record holder in 100 hurdles, long jump, triple jump and 400 relay team. Foster was a state champion in long jump and triple jump, helping the Broncos to a state title his junior season. He was busy with school activities in African American Student Union, Black Student Union, Athletic Leadership Conference, Ujima 1, Clovis North Diversity Council, Fresno County African American Student Advisor Cabinet Clovis North IDAC, Clovis Unified IDAC, elementary school track coach, elementary school student teacher, carnival volunteer, Christmas breakfast volunteer. He is headed to Florida.
Jeremiah Hunter, Central (football, basketball, track and field): Finished with a 3.55 GPA. Helped the Grizzlies to a state championship in football this past season as he moves to play at Cal. His activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Black Student Union, Homecoming King nominee, drummer in church choir and orchestra, church food giveaway volunteer, assist with sound and visual arts at church, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Emerald Debutante Escort.
Sam Kellar, Fresno (cross country, track and field): He finished with a 4.20 GPA. He joined the California Scholarship Federation, Key Club, Running Club, school Jog-A-Thon organizer, volunteer at varios local running events and marathons. He will move on to Clovis Community College.
Lena Lee, Roosevelt (tennis, badminton): She finished with a 3.61 GPA. Was part of Student Body Activities Director, FUSD Parent University, Hmong Club – President as a Senior, World Language Festival, Sadie Hawkins Dance, Club Rush, Kids Day, Hmong Academic Decathlon, Hmong Dance Club, Homecoming, Breaking Down the Walls, job shadowing of medical health, College Night, Senior Sunrise, Ecology Club, I Pledge Day, Community Spring Fest, Greek Festival, Trunk or Treat, peer mentoring. She is going to Fresno State.
Brooklyn Lopez, Clovis East (volleyball, badminton): Her GPA was 4.52. School and community activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, National Honors Society, Advanced Academics Academy, Principal’s Medallion, Math Team, Key Club. Reagan Educational Center and Clovis Unified Diversity Educational Councils, Diversity Week, Unity Week, Student Athletic Advisory Council, Academic Scholar of Distinction, AP Scholar of Distinction, Class Salutatorian, Central California Volleyball Club Little Spikers, youth summer volleyball camp coach, elementary and middle school summer school coach. She will attend Fresno State.
Josseline Morales, McLane (golf): Finished with a 4.11 GPA. Activities include Class Valedictorian, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, church Sunday School teacher, First Tee of Fresno volunteer. Will head to The Master’s University.
Mateo Morales, Clovis West (football, wrestling): Compiled a 3.39 GPA. His school activities were coach/volunteer “Little Gridiron” Football, Homecoming King, La Bella Vita fashion show participant, Every 15 Minutes participant, elementary school wrestling and baseball volunteer coach. His college plans are undecided.
Ethan Noble-Spry, Hoover (football, basketball, baseball): He finished with a 3.92 GPA. His community activity were church events volunteer.
Tobin Phillips, San Joaquin Memorial (football, track and field): Finished with a 3.92 GPA. Phillips will play football at Stanford. His activities include peer counselor, St. Baldrick’s participant and Boys and Girls Club volunteer.
Corie Smith, Buchanan (cross country, track and field): She finished with a 3.92 GPA. In cross country, Smith was a state champion as a sophomore and finished second as a senior. She helped the Bears win a state title in track and field in her junior season. Smith’s activities were Run the Race Camp volunteer, elementary school cross country and track meet volunteer. She will run at Arkansas.
Jessica Valles, Sunnyside (cross country, track and field): Finished with a 3.36 GPA. Is a two-time Central Section Division III champion in cross country. Was active in Homeroom Representative, Captain’s Club, Athletics Speaker, Rally setup, Gamers Club, Wildcat Ohana, Homecoming Banner Competition, Unified Sports, church holiday meal and clothing drive volunteer, forest cleanup, church youth and elderly volunteer and youth educator. She will attend Fresno Pacific.
