2012 Salute the Stars Reaches New Heights
The 2012 Salute the Stars awards luncheon reached a new financial height, raising more than $470,000 throughout the course of the two-day festivities. More than 75 Denver area student-athletes were honored for their efforts in academics, athletics and community service and more than $60,000 was presented in scholarships and awards.
The Salute the Stars VIP Kick Off Party was held on Wednesday, May 8th at the Lynches home and featured a live and silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, entertainment by Phil Long, and celebrity guests including Peyton Manning, Von Miller, John Fox, and Jon Gruden. The live auction raised more than $230,000.
On Thursday, May 10th the Salute the Stars awards luncheon was held at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium - on the field - in front of 1,000 guests. The student-athletes honored at the luncheon were announced and featured on the jumbotron and then awards and scholarships were presented. The event concluded with an inspirational keynote speech from ESPN Monday Night Football analyst, and John's former Super Bowl Champion Head Coach, Jon Gruden.
The awards and scholarship winners are listed below. Please visit our Youtube Channel by clicking here to watch videos on each of these amazing student-athletes and coaches.
LYNCH FAMILY LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Tanner S. Schmidt – Valley High School
Christian Elsner , Air Academy High School
Jeanette Bateman, Greely West High School
Julie Woodworth, Smoky Hill High School
JOHN LYNCH FOUNDATION EXCEPTIONAL STAR OF THE YEAR
Down Syndrome-
Hanna Atkinson, Heritage High School
Shane Beard, Grandview High School
Physical Disability-
Jessica Rae Kramer, Frontier Academy
Eric Freud George, Washington High School
STAR OF THE YEAR
Ellen Best, Goddard Middle School
Dylan Keeney, Goddard Middle School
Michelle Patton, Heritage High School
Mitchell Heinzeroth, Denver East High School
Roderick O'Dorisio, Faith Christian Academy
TEACHER / COACH OF THE YEAR
OSCAR FONSECA, JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
SCOTT COHEN, SMOKY HILL HIGH SCHOOL