The California Interscholastic Federation Farmers Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is a prestigious award that recognizes student athletes based on excellence in athletics, academics and character. This award is given out once every year to one male and one female student athlete who are considered the most deserving out of all other student athletes in the state and one male and one female student athlete from each of the 10 CIF sections. There are 22 awards in total, with 20 winners from various CIF schools as well as the two awarded to the most impressive male and female student athletes.
The purpose of the award is to recognize ideal student athletes and provide them with money to use toward college expenses. Each student athlete must be a senior who is college-bound and must possess no less than an unweighted cumulative grade point average of 3.50. The student applying is also required to be on a varsity sport.
“Students who apply [are obligated to have] academic and athletic careers [that] have been truly exemplary and whose personal standards and accomplishments are a positive model for others,” said Jade Chin, Assistant to the Executive Director of the CIF.
The one male and female stateside winners of the award will receive $5,000 each as well as a trip to the State Capitol where they will be honored in front of the legislature. Additionally, the winners selected from each of the 10 CIF sections will receive $2,000 each.
“I think that an award such as the Scholar-Athlete award really [motivates] student athletes to work extra hard in both school and sports,” said junior and varsity football player Jake Robin. “A lot of students are always looking at ways to receive new scholarships, and this award can be really beneficial and important to those who can use the extra money.”
The winners are chosen by the information given in their application as well as the reasons in their essay as to why they should be the one’s to receive this prize. The deadline for turning in the application is Feb. 15. The CIF will notify winners of the award by early May. •
“This award focuses on students who excel academically and athletically, which is different and unique compared to other usual scholarships.”
– said junior Andreas Bouchereau
