By Isiah REYES

The Glendale Character and Ethics Project presented its fifth annual Athletes with Character and Ethics Awards at the Alex Theatre honoring accomplished students and coaches from Glendale’s high schools and Glendale Community College.

The ACE Awards celebrates and promote sportsmanship and integrity among students and coaches in the Glendale Unified School District and college. The recipients were selected based on their demonstration of the highest level of sportsmanship, good character and high ethical behavior in their chosen sport.

Dan Evans was the master of ceremonies. Each honoree was given an award based on their honesty, loyalty, integrity and trustworthiness.

The female athletes of the year were Sara Kim (Hoover High School), Kayleigh Carrillo (Crescenta Valley High School), Kristin Cabarong (Glendale High School) and Elizabeth Nelson (Glendale Community College).

“The most important quality is the ability to have fun with your teammates,” tennis player Kim said. “It’s always important to remember that, win or lose, there’s always another game.”

The male athletes of the year were Alvin Kim (Hoover High School), Austin Brines (Crescenta Valley High School), Arman Momdzhyan (Glendale High School) and Noche Nwofor (Glendale Community College).

Brines, a football and baseball player, said he believes commitment is the most important quality for a leader.

The Spirit awards of the year were presented to Twisters marching band (Hoover High School), Courtney Grande (Crescenta Valley High School), Rebecca Chung (Glendale High School) and Brooke Forrester (Glendale Community College).

Recognized as coaches of the year were Dave Beard (Hoover High School), Mark Evans (Crescenta Valley High School), Tania Adary (Glendale High School) and Bob Mackay (Glendale Community College).

Coach Evans, a mainstay in Crescenta Valley High School cross-country and track programs, said he instills in his athletes the importance of giving it their best regardless of the odds.

Before the ceremony, Bartlett Foods provided fare for the attendees.

The event was sponsored by the Glendale Sunrise Rotary, Kiwanis of Glendale, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and a few other local sponsors. The awards were sponsored by the Arturo Sandoval Institute, the Glendale Educational Foundation, Glendale Latino Foundation and the Glendale Police Dept. among others.

Additional information about the Character and Ethics Project is available at www.ethicsproject.org.

To see more of Tommy Ewasko’s ACE Award photos, visit cvweekly.com/YOUTH. For more of Tommy Ewasko art, visit Ewasko.com.

  Isiah REYES