John and Linda Lynch Award Scholarships with the Help of Mayor Michael B. Hancock, John Elway and Gary Kubiak
Denver, CO – The John Lynch Foundation hosted its 17th Annual Salute the Stars awards luncheon on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, on the field, in front of more than 1,300 guests. Mayor Michael B. Hancock, John Elway and new Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak assisted John and his wife Linda in saluting outstanding youth from the Denver area. This event is designed to recognize and reward student-athletes for their efforts in the classroom, in sport and in their communities.
“Through the years we have seen so many incredible kids but this year’s award winners were some of the most impressive we have seen to date,” said John Lynch. “They are not only wonderful students-athletes but they all embody such incredible spirit. They remind us that there is so much good in this world and it inspires us tremendously.”
At the Salute the Stars awards luncheon, presented by FourPoint Energy and the Reiman Foundation, the Lynches distributed 15 awards worth $84,000 to deserving student-athletes - some with special needs - and two coaches. In addition to the 700 guests in attendance on the field, the John Lynch Foundation invited local schools to attend the event in the stands and being inspired by their peers. More than 600 students from Denver Public Schools, Cherry Creek Schools and other school districts enjoyed the festivities and were treated to lunch provided by Papa Johns, Frito Lay and Coca-Cola.
The crowd of 1,300 heard from Broncos legend John Elway and new Broncos head coach, Gary Kubiak who engaged in a round table discussion and question and answer session covering topics such as leadership, adversity, perseverance, and of course, Denver Broncos football. Two lucky students were selected for a once in a lifetime opportunity to catch a pass from Elway and Kubiak, both former quarterbacks.
“What John and Linda do is tremendous. To be able to provide the scholarships that they provide long after John’s career ended, I think is really a tribute to him and the type of man that he is. We’re glad to be a part of it. I was glad to be a part of it. It’s neat to be here,” said John Elway, Executive V.P of Football Operations/General Manager.
Awards were presented to individuals such as Lynch Family Legacy Scholarship recipient Jackson McCabe from Boulder High School who finished his high school career with an outstanding academic record and will be attending Tulane University in the fall. In addition to being a member of the Boulder High School and the U.S. Paralympic soccer teams, Jackson also gives back to his community by working with youth who like him, have a disability.
The John Lynch Foundation started the Salute the Stars awards luncheon in 1999 in Tampa, FL and brought the program to Denver in 2004. The event is a culmination of the Star of the Month program, which awards 48 middle and high school student-athletes for their efforts in academics, athletics and community involvement.
2015 AWARD WINNERS
At the Salute the Stars awards luncheon, the Lynches presented $84,000 in awards to the following deserving student-athletes:
(4) Star of the Year Awards
Mauryn Toole, Laredo Middle School
Gage Voss, Isaac Newton Middle School
Bryce Parsons, Laredo Middle School
Julia Song, Smoky Hill High School
Michael Anthony, Smoky Hill High School
(2) $2,000 Coach of the Year Awards
Brian Manley, Smoky Hill High School
Shannon Umberger, William Roberts E-8
(4) $5,000 Exceptional Star of the Year Awards (student-athletes with physical disabilities and Down syndrome)
Alan Beals, Cherry Creek High School (Down syndrome)
Cory Carlton, Fruita Monument High School (Down syndrome)
Georgi McPhail, Grandview High School (Apert syndrome)
Jeffrey Marshall, Boulder High School (Ollier disease)
(4) $15,000 Lynch Family Legacy Scholarships
Kyla Foster, Valley High School (Attending Cornell University, Colombia University of Colorado)
Zachery Peterson, Prairie View High School (Attending Colorado School of Mines)
Kaylyn Radtke, Elizabeth High School (Attending Colorado College)
Jackson McCabe, Boulder High School (Attending Tulane University)