SoCalBronco
05-19-2005, 01:24 AM
Lynch excited for kids' fete
By Patrick Saunders
Denver Post Staff Writer
Broncos safety John Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been voted to six Pro Bowls. But what occurred Wednesday at Invesco Field at Mile High ranked right up there on his list of thrills.
Lynch and his wife, Linda, honored some of the Denver area's most accomplished student- athletes at the seventh annual John Lynch Salutes the Stars awards luncheon.
After six years in Tampa, Fla., where Salute the Stars became a staple, Wednesday marked the first time the event was in Denver. Lynch said it was a challenge to get his foundation up and running in a new city. But after speaking to a packed house - with help from Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and teammates Rod Smith and Al Wilson - Lynch was all smiles.
"This was extremely draining; I feel like I've just won a big game," he said. "This was not just another speech. We really get into these kids' lives. We want to inspire the kids, but we also want to recognize what these kids have accomplished."
When Lynch and his wife created the John Lynch Foundation, they were looking for a way to give back to Tampa, as well as to their hometown of San Diego. Since Lynch joined the Broncos last year, he has wrapped both arms around the Mile High City.
"This is my new home, and I was committed to be involved in the community," Lynch said. "I was brought up that way. My folks showed me how important it was, not by telling, but by going out in the community
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and doing things."
Jemelah Tehuti of Montbello High School was one of four seniors awarded a $5,000 scholarship. The others were George Washington's Shannon Brink, Montbello's Michael Dickson and Cherry Creek's Jeff Zeller.
"I didn't even know I was going to win this," said Tehuti, who will attend Alabama State. "I've never received a scholarship before, so this is amazing."
The foundation has awarded $116,000 in college scholarships.
Salute the Stars honored others from Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools.
Star of the year awards, selected from 56 monthly winners, were presented to Nhu Prim, Kepner Middle School; Lac Nguyen, Kepner; Alexa Eubank, George Washington High School; and Matt Brady, Eaglecrest High School.
Disabled stars of the year were Kelsey Paul, Eaglecrest; Brad Washburn, Highlands Ranch High School; and Ian Jansing, Meramec Community College.
Teachers/coach of the year were Rocco Carbone from Kepner and Susan Gosman from George Washington.
By Patrick Saunders
Denver Post Staff Writer
Broncos safety John Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been voted to six Pro Bowls. But what occurred Wednesday at Invesco Field at Mile High ranked right up there on his list of thrills.
Lynch and his wife, Linda, honored some of the Denver area's most accomplished student- athletes at the seventh annual John Lynch Salutes the Stars awards luncheon.
After six years in Tampa, Fla., where Salute the Stars became a staple, Wednesday marked the first time the event was in Denver. Lynch said it was a challenge to get his foundation up and running in a new city. But after speaking to a packed house - with help from Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and teammates Rod Smith and Al Wilson - Lynch was all smiles.
"This was extremely draining; I feel like I've just won a big game," he said. "This was not just another speech. We really get into these kids' lives. We want to inspire the kids, but we also want to recognize what these kids have accomplished."
When Lynch and his wife created the John Lynch Foundation, they were looking for a way to give back to Tampa, as well as to their hometown of San Diego. Since Lynch joined the Broncos last year, he has wrapped both arms around the Mile High City.
"This is my new home, and I was committed to be involved in the community," Lynch said. "I was brought up that way. My folks showed me how important it was, not by telling, but by going out in the community
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and doing things."
Jemelah Tehuti of Montbello High School was one of four seniors awarded a $5,000 scholarship. The others were George Washington's Shannon Brink, Montbello's Michael Dickson and Cherry Creek's Jeff Zeller.
"I didn't even know I was going to win this," said Tehuti, who will attend Alabama State. "I've never received a scholarship before, so this is amazing."
The foundation has awarded $116,000 in college scholarships.
Salute the Stars honored others from Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools.
Star of the year awards, selected from 56 monthly winners, were presented to Nhu Prim, Kepner Middle School; Lac Nguyen, Kepner; Alexa Eubank, George Washington High School; and Matt Brady, Eaglecrest High School.
Disabled stars of the year were Kelsey Paul, Eaglecrest; Brad Washburn, Highlands Ranch High School; and Ian Jansing, Meramec Community College.
Teachers/coach of the year were Rocco Carbone from Kepner and Susan Gosman from George Washington.