Chargers Champions

The Facts

The Chargers Community Foundation through its Chargers Champions program awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships, grants and computers to deserving San Diego County students and schools in 2008.

Since the program's inception, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to local youth and area schools. Chargers Champions, presented by Wells Fargo, honors students for "making a difference" in their communities and in people's lives. The program also makes a strong commitment to San Diego County schools by providing grants for badly-needed fitness, athletic or nutrition programs.

Created by Alex and Dean Spanos in 2000, Chargers Champions offers strong support to this County's educational community. Since the beginning of the program, the Chargers have honored more than 175 students, 46 educators and 76 schools.

Created by Alex and Dean Spanos in 2000, Chargers Champions offers strong support to this County's educational community. Since the beginning of the program, the Chargers have honored more than 142 students, 46 educators and 52 schools.

The Chargers Champions “Class of 2008”

Amanda Ashwill - Amanda is an assistant freshman volleyball coach and honor roll student at Santana High School. She is a member of the Key Club, Ecology Club, and Invisible Children Club. She tutors for the Special Education Department at Santana and is a leader in training for the City of Santee's Summer Day Camp Program.

Elizabeth Branco - Elizabeth is President of the National Honor Society and Team Captain for Ramona's Varsity Tennis Team. She volunteers for the San Diego Archeological Center and is a Senior Girl Scout. She also serves as a Site Captain for the I Love a Clean San Diego Creek to Bay Cleanup.

Alice Cash - Alice is the President of the Drama Club at Canyon Crest Academy and is a member of Junior Theatre. She is the Artistic Director for Broadway Kids of San Diego and serves as a Teen Perspective Columnist for the San Diego Theatre, Carmel Valley News and the Del Mar Village Voice.

Adelaide Dyer - Adelaide is the Commissioner of Public Affairs for El Capitan and a member of Varsity Cheer. She is the founder of the Orphanage Outreach Program and a delegate and historian for the organization Future Farmers of America. She also serves as the Award Committee Chair for the San Diego County Fair Advisory Committee.

Jolynn Earl - Jolynn is a member of the JV Tennis Team, the Helping Hands Volunteer Club, Young Republicans Club and serves as a math tutor at San Pasqual High School. Jolynn is a summer volunteer for City Hall working with EscoYo to combat teen issues such as drugs, underage drinking, etc. in the City of Escondido.

Antonio Figueroa - Antonio is a mentor with Students Empowering Students and the Bahia and the Latino Youth Council. He works with the Mid-City Community Advocacy Network Coordinating Council as a community youth member. Antonio is involved with Hablando Claro, a program established to teach parents and their children about teen pregnancy, and is a Youth Activist Leader with the Latinos y Latinas en Accion.

Taylor Hye - Taylor volunteers for College Avenue Baptist Church Nursery and as Childcare Leader for Celebrate Recovery. Taylor is an Assistant Technical Director for West Hills High School Theatre Program and is a leader of the Christian Club and High School Ministries. Taylor seves as the West Hills Class of 2009 Historian.

Lucas Lancaster - Lucas is a member of the St. Augustine High School Football and Track Teams. He spends his free time as an Assistant Football Coach for the Santa Sophia Academy in Spring Valley. Lucas also donates time as a math tutor for the St. Augustine Math Department.

Jennifer MacConaghy - Jennifer is the Activities Director for the National Honor Society and Treasurer for the Recycle Brigade at Ramona High School. She is a member of the Varsity Track and Field Team as well as the Junior Varsity Basketball Team. Jennifer is a Delegate for the Model UN and a Student Correspondent for the Ramona Sentinel Newspaper.

Mary Naoom - Mary writes for El Cajon Valley High School's Thought Magazine. She is a member of the Cross Country Team and donates her time as the Track Manager and Team Events Organizer. Mary serves as a Charity Volunteer for Leo's Club and is an 8th and 9th grade Church School Catechist Teacher.

Harmony Palmer - Harmony is a tutor and member of the Ceramics Club, and the Key Club at El Camino High School. She volunteers her time at the annual Relay for Life event benefiting the American Cancer Society and is a member of the Oceanside Girls Softball League, Upward Bound College program, and the Maac Project's Head Start Program.

Archana Ramesh - Archana is Founder and President of the Students Without Borders Club and is a member of the Peer Leaders Uniting Students and the Academic Club at Mt. Carmel High School. She is Vice President and Violas Section Leader for her school's orchestra and serves as the Vice President of the California Scholarship Federation and volunteers for the Sathya Sai Baba Center.

Celena Robinson - Celena is Treasurer for the Invisible Children Club at Palomar High School raising money for children in Northern Uganda. She volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and spends time volunteering at a local nursing home. She is a senior member of the Girl Scouts and plays clarinet in her school's marching band.

Yura Salter - Yura volunteers at Linda Vista Presbyterian Church and at the Linda Vista Presbyterian Crisis Center assisting the homeless. Yura also volunteers her time at the Linda Vista Library reading to children and coordinating social events. Yura is the Captain of the High Tech High Varsity Soccer Team.

Daley Vertiz - Daley is a member of the California Scholarship Foundation, Model United Nations and a member of the Bonita Vista High School Class of 2009 Taskforce. He is a Congressman for the Class of 2009 and plays on the Bonita Vista High School Junior Varsity Volleyball Team. Daley is also involved with drama and is the Secretary for the French Club.

Jade Wagner - Jade is President of Best Buddies International at Hilltop High School helping individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Jade is President of the Awareness About Aids Club and a member of the Interact Club, Humanities Club and the Amnesty International Club. Jade has been a Girl Scout for the past seven years.

The Chargers Champions "Class of 2007"

Anagelu Ali, Hoover High School, Anagelu volunteers at the Euclid Child Development Center, Alliance for African Assistance agency and with the Honor's Society as a tutor. He is a member of the Track team and Ethiopian Soccer team. Anagelu is a member of the Honor Society and is Chair of Hoover's annual multicultural fair.

Andres Cornejo, Guajome Park Academy, Andres is the Captain of the soccer team and is a member of the Track, Baseball, Cross Country and Basketball teams. He volunteers as a peer mediator with his school, the key club and with the Angel Tree program through his church.

Emily Harrison, El Cajon Valley High School, Emily is a Park Ambassador with the Wild Animal Park Conservation Corps. She is a member of the Swim team and Water Polo team. Emily is Assistant Editor-in-Chief for her school's newspaper and is a passionate performer with the Drama Club.

Bozhou Huang, Mt. Carmel High School, Bozhou is a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation and Science Club. He is a tutor with an after school program and volunteers with the Boy Scouts; helping with beach clean-ups and toy & food drives. Bozhou is on the Varsity Tennis team and is Senator for his class.

Lourd Kettoola, Granite Hills High School, Lourd is a member of the Academic League, National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation. She competes on the Swim team and Water Polo team. Lourd volunteers with Grossmont Hospital and with the Invisible Children organization benefiting youth in Uganda.

Savannah Lake, Torrey Pines High School, Savannah is the Co-Chair of Students Actively Volunteering for You. She is a member of the National Honors Society and Debate team. Savannah is an Editor for her school's newspaper; and is a Youth Ambassador with the Youth Services CATALYST program.

Ricardo Lopez, Orange Glen High School, Ricardo volunteers hundreds of hours annually to the critical care unit of Palomar Hospital. He is a member of the National Honors Society, Peer Mediation and California Scholarship Federation. Ricardo works with Habitat for Humanity helping to build new homes for the community.

James Monroe, San Pasqual Academy, James is Co-Captain of the Varsity Football team and a member of the Varsity Basketball team. He completed an internship with the Dragon's Lounge on campus and volunteers with California Youth Connections. He is a member of his Student & Community Council.

Kimberly Norcia, Mission Hills High School, Kimberly is a cadet with the Escondido Police Department's Explorer Program; a team of young leaders who perform community service while receiving career training. She is a math tutor at her school and a member of the National Honors Society, Volleyball and Softball teams.

Paige Rackley, La Costa Canyon High School, Paige is a youth basketball coach, is a member of the Crew team, Varsity Track team and Varsity Basketball team. She is President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a member of Teen Impact. Paige volunteers at her church as a youth mentor, at her local homeless shelter and with elderly at local convalescent homes.

Di Pham, The Preuss School, UCSD, Di is Captain of the cheerleading squad, is President of the Art Club and an officer with the SD Asian Youth Organization. Di volunteers as a Sunday School teacher for young Vietnamese children and helps organize fundraising programs for the church.

Robin Rhine, Guajome Park Academy, Robin is a member of the Varsity Volleyball and Basketball teams. She is a volunteer with Upstreet Kid's Ministry and with peer mediation at her school. Robin is ASB President and a member of the Student Advisory Council and House Council.

Hilary Ross, San Dieguieto Academy, Hilary is an Executive Officer for the ASB and Vice President on the School Site Council. She is a member of the Lacrosse team, Yearbook staff and School Board. Hilary volunteers with the Girls Scouts of America and is a tutor for elementary students with Study Buddies.

Bethany Schmid, Rancho Buena Vista High School, Bethany has spent the past 5 years raising puppies for Guide Dogs of America. She is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Christian Club and Interact Club. Bethany is the founder of Crafts 4 a Cause benefiting orphanages in Mexico.

Steven Terry, Monte Vista High School, Steven is a member of the Cross Country team, Varsity Tennis team and Wrestling team. He volunteers as a student mentor at Loma Elementary School and with their running club. Steven is a finalist to attend the American Legion Boys State Leadership program.

Kevin Vandivort, Fallbrook Union High School, Kevin is the founder of the Schools for Schools program that helps schools in Africa with basic resources. He is a member of the Varsity Baseball team and volunteers with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Fallbrook Food Pantry.

Rudy Vargas-Lima, Hoover High School, Rudy is a member of the National Honors Society, Varsity Golf team and is President of the Eco-Club. He was the Director of My City Now a KPBS documentary and volunteered as a conservation scientist for 5 weeks in Bahia, Mexico.