Hudson Valley Student-Athletes Nominated for 'Heart Of A Giant' Award

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Seven Hudson Valley students are in the fifth round of nominees for the 2022 Heart of a Giant award.

The award is presented annually by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the NY Giants after several rounds of voting for outstanding high school football players in the Tri-State area. Students are nominated by their coaches for "commitment," "teamwork," "will," "character" and "dedication."

Overall, there will be six weekly finalists and five wild card finalists, leading to 11 total honorees. Each finalist will receive $1,000 for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $10,000. The grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant.

Round 5 of the contest is open for voting until Oct. 23.

The local Round 5 nominees and what their coaches said about them:

Marcus Dessesow - Yonkers Brave (Yonkers)

Committment - The 4 years he has been with me, can count on one hand how many times he missed practice or workouts.

Jackson Bloom - Suffern High School (Suffern)

Will - Jackson was diagnosed with Stage 2A Classical Hodgkin during his freshman year. He went through a tough 4 months of chemotherapy. He has dedicated his hardworking self to improve and become a two-year starter for the football team.

Derek Jaramillo - Somers High School (Mahopac)

Dedication - Derek grew up in a poor family and for years his family struggled as they had 5 kids to raise and Derek was the oldest and looked after them a lot. He would do all this and still managed to have a straight A’s and managed time for football. He pushed through every obstacle that came us way and at one point battled as the state saw his parents unfit to take car of him and his siblings.

Brett McCarthy - Tappan Zee (Orangeburg)

Committment - Brett has been committed to Tappan Zee football since his freshman year. Brett is a great leader for his teammates throughout his time on the team. He leads by example when it comes to the work he puts into the off season and he has encouraged others to do that same. He always works hard during practice and is the first to praise and give a helping hand to others when needed. All of that hard work comes together and is on display on game day by scoring touchdowns or chasing guys down on defense.

This season his teammates selected him to be one of the captains. He leads by example by being the hardest worker on the team, but will display his motivating style when needed.
Brett was selfless when it came to changing his position on offense. He understood that the move would help the team and has embraced his new role with tremendous success.

Brett has helped turn around a team that struggled last season and that is a reflection of his commitment to his teammates, school and community

James Moran - Nanuet High School (Nanuet)

Character - James actually embodies every one of these characteristics which led me to choose the overall character of this individual. James is a captain who leads by example and termination on the field but can often be found off the field helping those who need assistance. He has the will of a Giant by coming back from a knee injury last year during basketball season to lead his lacrosse and now football teammates. Simply put James is an exceptional human being who exemplifies every character trait the Giant Organization would want from their own players.

Cooper Schmidt - Walter Panas High School (Cortlandt Manor)

Committment - Cooper Schmidt has not missed one football practice in his 2 and half year varsity career. He practices and plays banged up and always gives his best effort. He is not only a captain on our football team but also our wrestling team where he excels as well.

JahQuil Thompson - Albany High School (Albany)

Dedication - Jahquil Thompsons possess all the attributes you look for in a high football player he has good size and great athletic ability however its the qualities you can't measure that set him apart from his peers Jah's display of Accountability, Resiliency and Commitment to his teammates throughout the course of he's high school tenure serve as he's staple. During the height of the pandemic Jahquil's mother transferred him to a high school that offered in person learning in fear that his academics would suffer after attending and playing in the abbreviated spring season.

When he returned to AHS in Fall 2021 he was demeaned ineligible to participate in games due to his transfer back to his home district without a corresponding change of address. He had to sit out the whole season but he didn't let that stop him from showing up to practice everyday and giving 110 percent. He practiced like he was going to play in the game on Friday nights! He motivated his teammates from the sideline. His teammates nominated him as captain. He went on to join his teammates in competing in indoor and outdoor track, where they surely made their mark and won relay medals.

SEE ALSO:

• More Local High School Students Nominated for 'Heart of a Giant' Award
• Lakeland Student In 4th Round Of Heart Of A Giant Public Voting Period
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• Brewster High School Student Nominated for 'Heart of a Giant' Award
• Student In Dobbs Ferry In 4th Round Of Heart Of A Giant Voting Period
• Clarkstown Student In 4th Round Of Heart Of A Giant Voting Period
• Sleepy Hollow High School Student Up for 'Heart of a Giant' Award
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