Chargers Champions

The Chargers Community Foundation through its Chargers Champions program will award 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 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 158 students, 46 educators and 63 schools.


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.