San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
S.A. teen wins a national award for helping others
Incarnate Word High School student-athlete JuLeAnna Trejo didn’t hesitate when the athletic director asked her to stop by the gym.
The senior volleyball player thought she’d be helping with an assembly, which was partially true. When she opened the gym door, cheers erupted from classmates and school leaders packed in the bleachers.
Surprised and confused, JuLeAnna walked down the center court toward her parents, Kristopher and LeAnna Trejo. Wrapped in her mother’s arms, the stunned teen felt uplifted by the rally in her honor.
Students, school leaders and her parents gathered to honor JuLeAnna as she was presented with the national Making a Difference On and Off the Field Award. The presentation took place during World Kindness Week, which aims to raise awareness of good deeds in communities and the power of positive acts.
Her surprise included two tickets to see the Spurs play this season and a check for a local charity of her choice. Dude Wipes, formed by four Chicago-area student-athletes, funded the awards.
“I really like to help people, and I want to take that into my future,” said JuLeAnna, 17. “Once you help people, it kind of spreads like a domino effect. It just impacts on a bigger scale.”
The nonprofit Buddy’s Helpers presented the award Wednesday. Faith Davies, Buddy’s Helpers coordinator, said the campaign is about honoring student-athletes who consistently and selflessly enhance the lives of others.
She said it’s been exciting to celebrate each and every one of
them for nearly eight years throughout the United States.
“There’s nothing better than making a difference in the game of life, and that’s something JuLeAnna has done an awful lot of,” Davies said. “To see the reaction of her classmates and the pride on her parents’ faces just shows how she
has touched so many lives.”
JuLeAnna is an honor roll student and National Hispanic Program Scholar. She plans to major in architecture and interior design when she attends college.
Her accomplishments include:
Volunteered more than 250 hours in past summers as mentor and camp counselor
Offers aid to peers by working with San Antonio Threads, which provides teenagers with retail and personal hygiene items
Serves as a class officer, school ambassador and member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society
Sorts, packages and stores food at the San Antonio Food Bank
A three-year varsity player, she was named most improved player in 2021.
The senior said helping others has been one of her goals. JuLeAnna said she’s inspired by her parents, the teen’s biggest role models. Seeing them lead by example and their constant support inspires her to help others.
As Thanksgiving approaches, JuLeAnna plans to volunteer today for Turkey Bingo at St. John Bosco Middle School. On Monday, she’ll be at San Antonio Threads, stocking inventory and helping teens, one on one, pick out new clothes.
A self-avowed “clothes person,” she said, “it’s horrible” that some people who live in underrepresented communities don’t have the same opportunities as others.
JuLeAnna said juggling studies, athletics and volunteering comes down to prioritizing what she wants to do.
“When I was younger, being part of that community, people were always giving to us,” she said. “Now, I’m super inspired to take care of my own small community.”