The National Football Foundation honors area scholar-athletes

 On Friday night, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame,
John Ferraro Los Angeles Chapter honored 56 football scholar-athletes
from over 100 schools in the Los Angeles City Section and CIF Southern Section
in the greater Los Angeles, Westside, South Bay, Long Beach, and Southeast Los
Angeles area. 

The
tuxedo-clad scholar-athletes (compliments of Friar Tux) and their families and
coaches gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Culver City. At the event they
were feted for achievement in the classroom, the community, and the football field
at a sit-down banquet.  Master of Ceremonies Buddy Farmer hosted the
evening with key focus on the accomplishments of each of the 56 athletes, many
of which will be playing football in college next year on scholarships, but all
of which had achieved a minimum 3.2 GPA, are involved in their communities,
while still excelling at the highest level of football.  

Parents and coaches excitedly listened to the presentation
with beaming smiles and loads of pride.  As
John Girardi, the NFF Los Angeles Chapter president, described the evening, “it is gratifying to see the young men get a moment,
literally and figuratively, in the spotlight—and they handle it quite well; the
other best event of the evening is to see the pride in the eyes of the parents,
families and friends that the hard work of their sons and brothers and friends
is acknowledged in a special way.”

Guest speakers included Noel Mazzone, the offensive coordinator of the UCLA
Bruins, who will coach two of the nights honorees, and John Huarte, a Heisman Trophy winner.  And,
then, it was on to the highlight of the evening, the presentation of the NFF
Los-Angeles Chapter Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards to all 56 athletes, and
the monetary scholarships awarded to the top three scholar-athletes of the year.
Third place ($1,000) went to Steven Delcarson of Palos Verdes High; second place
($2,000) to Miguel Wagner-Bagues of El Segundo High (GO GUNDO!); and first place ($3,000) went to Josh Rosen (St. John Bosco High).

Rosen (6-4, 207 lbs) played at St.
John Bosco under Coach Jason Negro.  He was
the Trinity League’s most valuable Player. He was also All-CIF and co-offensive player of the year. He was a participant in the Under Armour All- American Game
and a member of Nike’s “Elite 11.” He has a 3.9 GPA and has signed a football
scholarship to play for the Bruins of UCLA.

Wagner-Bagues (5-8, 165) played running back and wide receiver
for El Segundo High under Coach Steve Shevlin. He was All-Area and All-Ocean
League along with being the team’s co-offensive player of the year. He was
selected as a National Merit Scholar Hispanic Recognition Scholar and is a
member of the California Scholastic Federation. He has a 4.0 GPA and plans to
attend M.I.T. majoring in Aerospace Engineering and will also be playing
football. Not to mention that he overcame an extremely difficult injury, coming
back stronger and better. He is also one of the most kind people I have ever
encountered in my life; he is willing to help anyone and work hard for
anything.

Delcarson
 (6-1, 205) who
player quarterback and linebacker for
Palos Verdes High under Coach Guy Gardner. He was All-Bay League, All-Area and
the MVP of the Bay League. Steven has a 3.96 GPA

The names of all of the 56 scholar athletes are provided to
the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana where their names can
be viewed upon visiting the museum.  Congratulations to these fine young men as
they embark on their next journey, as leaders and men of conviction.

—Cece Jane