Five Southern California Student-Athletes Named First CalHOPE Courage Award Scholarship Winners

Five Southern California high school athletes who confronted serious personal hardships have been named the first recipients of the CalHOPE Courage Award Scholarship Program, an initiative meant to encourage resilience and mental health among young people in the state.

The program was created with CalHOPE, a crisis support resource overseen by the California Department of Health Care Services, and the California Interscholastic Federation. It recognizes student-athletes who have overcome difficult circumstances while succeeding in both sports and academics. Each winner receives a $2,500 scholarship, and each winner's school athletic department receives a $500 grant to support future athletes.

The honorees are Noa Eteauti-Edwards of Arcadia High School, who plays basketball and runs track; Caiden Garcia of La Cañada High School, a wrestler; Jaslene Massey of Aliso Niguel High School, who competes in track and volleyball; Rafiq Randall Jr. of Steele Canyon High School, a football and track athlete; and Carter Upton, a basketball player at Agoura High School.

Eteauti-Edwards suffered a shattered skull in a bike accident in third grade. Four years later, with help from a mental health coach, Eteauti-Edwards is a basketball and track standout with Division 1 scholarship offers. "Slowly, I rebuilt my confidence and skills," the athlete says.

Garcia, captain of the wrestling team, lost the family's Pasadena home to wildfires. Garcia organized a GoFundMe for the family and sought counseling to cope with the trauma. "Healing taught me to be grateful for my circumstances – no matter how dark they may be," Garcia says.

Massey was kicked out of a father's home at age 14 and found refuge in sports. Now a standout discus thrower and volleyball player, Massey is headed to the University of Oregon to play for the Ducks. The move, Massey explains, "represents more than an education for me – it's a way out, a step toward independence and an opportunity to rewrite my story."

Randall endured two torn ACLs but, with support from friends and family, returned to varsity football and track. "True strength isn't about how much you can lift; it's about how you handle the moments when everything falls apart," Randall says. Upton, who lost a father to addiction, battled depression and anxiety before therapy and teamwork helped with healing. Now a starter on the Agoura High School boys' basketball team, Upton tells teammates that "it's OK to talk about how you feel. It's OK to ask for help."

CalHOPE's work aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order addressing a troubling rise in suicides and disconnection among young men and boys. The statewide effort seeks to reduce stigma, widen access to mental health resources and create pathways to education and mentorship.

Kevin Love, a five-time NBA All-Star and former UCLA basketball player who is a prominent mental health advocate, is backing the program. "Everyone is going through something we can't see. Opening up taught me that none of us are truly alone," Love said. "That's why I'm proud to support CalHOPE; it shows young people that true courage comes from sharing your story."

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through a final deadline of May 1, and students are encouraged to apply early for the monthly award cycles. Information and applications are available at calhopecourageawardscholarship.org, and the program can be followed on Instagram at @CalHOPE_Courage.