Putnam Valley Student Nominated for 'Heart of a Giant' Award

NEW YORK, NY — The first set of nominees in the 2022 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award is open for voting, and Putnam Valley High School’s own Marcos Oliviera has been nominated — in fact, he's the only New Yorker on the list.

The award is presented annually by 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.

The voting period for this first set of nominees is now open until Oct. 2, with the final vote tally determining who will be named the group’s finalist.

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.

Here are the Week 1 nominees and what their coaches said:

Jayden Alvizio; Henry P. Becton Regional High School (East Rutherford, NJ)

Dedication - Jayden has shown dedication toward the program by coming back from a season ending injury as a junior to regain his starting position on the offensive line.

He was previously a starter since his freshman year and has come back and been a vocal leader. There has been some solidification with Jayden back in the trenches.

Malachi Bethea; Paterson Eastside High School (Paterson, NJ)

Dedication - Malachi lost his father at a young age. He was forced to become the man of house. Malachi works as a necessity to help his family as well as playing football and still manages to be on The National Honors Society. Malachi is in his junior season and was selected as a Captain of this year’s team by his peers. Malachi is also now rated as a three-star athlete by Rivals.

Aiden Gilbert; Sayreville War Memorial (Parlin, NJ)

Teamwork - Makes it his responsibility to know as many positions as possible to help his team and his teammates. He has switched jersey #’s mid game in order to help the team win a game after another teammate was injured. Aidan sacrificed his own comfort to play a position he had never played in a game before to help our team win.

Marcella Iversen; John P. Stevens High School (Edison, NJ)

Will - Marcella is the only female on our varsity football team and is also a team leader. She constantly strives and works to get better and doesn't back down from a challenge. She is constantly in the weight room getting stronger, great in the classroom and is our school’s student athletic advisor for our county.

Julian Jones; Monmouth Regional (Tinton Falls, NJ)

Dedication - After tearing his acl his freshman year he persevered to becoming an all division/all shore player while helping his teammates get better

Dillon Kelly; Ramsey High School (Ramsey, NJ)

Character - League championship game- during a time out, we were running a play designed to go to Dillon. It would have been his 4th TD of the game. He had asked if the ball can go to a senior instead. He is a team first guy and role model in our community.

Ryan Lawrence; Caldwell High School (West Caldwell, NJ)

Teamwork - Ryan Lawrence is an outstanding teammate. He embodies all of the characteristics mentioned. He is willing to do whatever is asked of him regardless of how it would affect him personally. He has been asked to change positions which is in the best interest of the team, while not exactly what is best for himself.

Marcos Oliviera; Putnam Valley High School (Putnam Valley, NY)

Character - Marcos is a phenomenal person. Athletics aside he is a standout in the classroom, in the hallways, and outside of school. Marcos is the type of student that still uses the phrases, “yes sir” and “yes ma’am.” He holds his academics on the same pedestal as his athletics and is one of the hardest working individuals that I have seen in a very long time. Marcos walks to and a from school many practices, dedicates his lunches to extra help with teachers and spends many weekends helping his father in the Bronx. In my eleven years coaching Marcos joins (Rahhim Shillingford- heart of the giant recipient and Darnel Shillingford- golden dozen winner) in the top three players with the highest level of character. In so, I feel that he not only meets the criteria for character but also embodies commitment, teamwork, dedication, and will.

Amauri Younger; James Ferris High School (Jersey City, NJ)

Character - Amauri has shown his dedication to helping other by working at homeless shelter during the summers before practice, while also working a part time job to help family bills.

Zyier Younger; Newark East Side High School (Newark, NJ)

Dedication - Has witnessed a tragedy within his household and uses football as his way of dealing with it — he is his brother’s keeper

Editor's Note: The grand prize winner will win an additional $10,000; Heart Of A Giant provided wrong information for the original version of this report.