Campbell Star Student Athlete Excels In Crew

CAMPBELL, CA — We all know student athletes who also bring their A-game to other parts of their lives.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know the individual stories behind the leaderboard.

This submission comes from Laila who nominated James of Campbell.

Star student athlete’s name

James

Star student athlete’s home state

California

Star student athlete’s Patch town

Campbell

How do you know the star student athlete?

He's my nephew

What sport does the star student athlete play?

Crew

Why do you believe the star student athlete should be recognized?

James is the oldest of three boys who live with their single mom. He recently took up crew and has worked incredibly hard to learn the sport, unfailingly making it to early-morning practices and attending all the optional practices, working out regularly, and devoting himself to improvement through hard work. In the process, he has inspired his younger brothers to exercise and get fit, too. After a difficult few years isolated during Covid and distance-learning, with too much time inside, James has set a model of spending time outside, exercising, and working hard at something you care about. His younger brothers are following the same model, and both are excelling in sports, as well, even as their mother has taken on a new low-wage job in the public schools. Through it all, James has never neglected his academics, shining as a student as well, and reading books like The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics during his free time. He strives to help his mother and mentor his brothers, and has taken on a natural leadership role. He has grown tremendously strong through all his hard work, and during a family backpacking trip, he carried a great deal of gear for his family, and after he his cousin had carried their own heavy packs, they returned along the trail to help their mothers and grandmothers with their own packs.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star student athlete?

He has integrity and strong character.

Keep up the great work, James!

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