17 Fresno-area high school athletes honored with B’nai B’rith award scholarship
Seventeen high school student-athletes were recognized Sunday at Chukchansi Park for the 70th B’nai B’rith scholar-athlete award.
There was no overall winner. Every nominee received a $750 scholarship.
The winner of the Irving Negin Award was John Pena of Sanger High with a honoree-high GPA of 4.79.
B’nai B’rith Fresno chose Chukchansi Park as the location of this year’s event with fans and family in attendance.
Each high school that draws students from a Fresno ZIP code nominates a senior based on athletic achievements, academic accomplishments and school and community activities.
Here are the honorees:
John Pena, Sanger (4.79 GPA)
He played football, basketball and golf. Participated in many activities that include California Scholarship Federation Life Member and Student Body president as a senior.
He plans to attend Harvard.
Austin Kern, Bullard (4.32 GPA)
Played water polo and swimming. Activities: state champion in group performance in his junior year and was a two-time state finalist. Will graduate summa cum laude, National History Day, Water Polo Club.
Plans to attend UCLA.
Kane Sjoberg, Edison (4.32 GPA)
Played water polo and swimming. Some of his activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, AP Scholar with Distinction, Math Club, Hip Hop Rally Club.
Plans to attend Cal Tech or Harvard.
River Richart, Fresno (4.29 GPA)
Water polo and swimming. Activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, Valedictorian, Block F Award, Earth Day volunteer and others.
Plans to attend Cal.
Jessica Seta, Hoover (4.28 GPA)
Volleyball, soccer and softball. Activities include Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete all four years in all three sports.
Plans to attend Fresno City College.
Paige Messenlehner, Washington Union (4.26 GPA)
Played cross country, basketball and softball. Some of her activities include Freshman Class Vice President, Sophomore Class President and Cheer Captain.
Will attend Redlands University.
Jacob Hyatt, Fresno Christian (4.24 GPA)
Played soccer and track and field. His list of school and community activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, Student Leadership, Math 2 Honors, Kid’s Day volunteer and many others.
Plans to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Tanner Sagouspe, San Joaquin Memorial (4.22 GPA)
Competed in football and baseball. His activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, National Honors Society, Ski Club, Junior Ministries of Presence Club, Catholic Charities Christmas and Easter parties volunteer.
Plans to attend Cal Poly.
Alissa Chang, Sunnyside (4.17 GPA)
Played volleyball. Her school and activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, CSF Club, Know More Club, elementary school volleyball coach and others.
Plans to attend Fresno City College where she has been accepted into the nursing program.
Crystal Rodriguez, McLane (4.10 GPA)
Played softball. Activities include California Scholarship Federation, school orchestra, Medical Education Research Pathway, Sports Medicine Club.
Plans to attend Greg Fox University.
Emma Brown, Clovis North (4.04 GPA)
Played soccer. Some of her activities include California Scholarship Federation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, youth Sunday School and church summer camp volunteer.
Plans to attend Cal Poly.
Cuauhtemoc Becerra, Buchanan (4.04 GPA)
Sports include soccer and baseball. School and activities include Honor Roll, Child Abuse Awareness volunteer.
Plans to attend Stanford.
Cole Anderson, Clovis West (3.91 GPA)
Played basketball. Honors include Fighting Spirit Award at Central Section championship, Principal’s Honor Roll.
Will attend UC Santa Barbara.
Bryant Thao, Clovis East (3.81 GPA)
Football, soccer and volleyball. Activities include California Scholarship Federation Life Member, National Honors Society, Cornhole football fundraiser volunteer.
Plans to attend Santa Barbara City College, Fresno State, San Jose State, Lincoln University, Merrimack College or Sacramento State.
Danyell Booker, Roosevelt (3.80 GPA)
Football, basketball, softball and track and field. Activities include Black Student Union, Student Advisory Cabinet, elementary school basketball coach, elementary school reader during Black History Month.
Plans to attend Langston University, Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M, Clarke University, Penn State-Hazelton, Morgan State, Cal Poly or Cal State Northridge.
Elizabeth Alexander, Clovis (3.79 GPA)
Played water polo and swimming. Activities include California Scholarship Federation, Class of 2021. Mountain biking club, 559 Royal Academy elementary school carnival volunteer.
Plans to attend UC Irvine.
Cedrick Coward, Central (3.69 GPA)
Played basketball. Activities include Principal’s Honor Roll, High Academic Honors, Black Student Union, AAU basketball.
Plans to attend Fresno State or Willamette University.
This story was originally published May 26, 2021 at 1:09 PM.
