6 locals among section scholarship winners

Six Placer County student-athletes were chosen by the Sac-Joaquin Section recently as winners of the A. Dale Lacky Scholarship. The award, named after the former CIF state president, is based on not only outstanding athletic performance but academic achievement and involvement in the community over four years of high school. A total of $30,000, generated from various sports foundation games, was awarded to 48 senior student-athletes throughout the section. Local $1,000 winners included Forest Lake Christian's Amber Jackson and Rocklin's Tanner Gomes. Excelling in five sports for the Falcons (track, soccer, volleyball, basketball and cross country), Jackson is also an SJS Spirit of Sport award winner and volunteers at charity breakfasts and as a youth soccer coach. She earned an athletic scholarship to play soccer at Oregon State. "There are so many incredible scholar athletes out there that deserve to be recognized because they work their butts off," Jackson said. "It pushes me to keep trying my best in my academics, training and just life in general, especially during this unique time." Gomes was a big contributor for the Thunder football and baseball teams for four years, winning team MVP in each sport. Outside the lines, Gomes is a Boys State delegate, an AP scholar and a member of the National Honors Society. He also volunteers with Ben Ali Shrine Hospital and as a teacher's aide at a local elementary school. Gomes will continue his football career and study economics or public policy at Pomona College. Among the $500 award winners were Bear River's Grace McDaniel, Del Oro's Kady Shiro and John Adams Academy's Harper Trentman and Tyler Draper. McDaniel was a three-time section qualifier in cross country, a team captain in basketball and a league distance champion in track for the Bruins. She is a four-time Badge of the Bruin award winner, a member of the Key Club, CSF, Bible Study Club and Cribbage Club. She also volunteers with the Yuba River Clean Up, Adopt a Family and the local talent show. Though undecided on her college choice, McDaniel plans to major in applied mathematics. Shiro, a three-time all-league soccer player, is involved in several extracurricular activities, including National Honors Society, Women's Athletic Club and Outdoor Adventure Club. She volunteers as an organizer for the annual Memorial Day ceremony and is headed to the University of Oregon to study landscape architecture. An all-league volleyball and soccer player, Trentman is also the student body president at John Adams. She volunteers with Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, Out of Darkness Walk, Feed My Starving Children and as a caroler at adolescent homes. She will attend BYU-Provo and study civil engineering. An Eagle Scout with hundreds of community service hours, Draper was also an all-league soccer player for John Adams. He is heavily involved with his church and local Rotary Club and referees for youth sports within his community. Draper will attend BYU to play soccer and major in business administration.