Sports Backers and Richmond Times-Dispatch Celebrate Active Living Leadership ALL Stars Graduation and welcome new participants

RICHMOND, VA – Sports Backers and the Richmond Times-Dispatch honored 20 outstanding high school senior student-athletes at a graduation ceremony and awards show for the Active Living Leadership (ALL) Stars program, held last night at the historic Hippodrome Theater. The event brought together students, families, mentors, program sponsors, and community supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of these young leaders.

Over the course of ten months, the students participated in a hands-on leadership program that included volunteer opportunities with local organizations, panel discussions with active living industry leaders, collaborative cohort activities, and a final capstone project.

“This group of ALL Stars have really grown as leaders and made a real impact in their schools and communities,” said Jacki Quinlan, Director of Youth Programs at Sports Backers. “We’re proud of their journey and excited to how they will use what they’ve learned in the future.”

The program focuses on connecting students with other organizations to help them see many different aspects of living actively in Richmond. They also take advantage of volunteer opportunities with these groups and ultimately work with a partner organization on their capstone.

“I have realized the importance of my civic responsibility to give back and learned about many more aspects to active living than I ever realized there were,” said Riley Humphries of Prince George High School. “I have met so many incredible people and being an ALL Star has truly changed my outlook on life.”

Now in its second year under a new format, the ALL Stars program evolved from the long-running Scholar-Athlete Awards Program, which began in 1992. The revamped program launched in early 2023 to foster deeper, long-term engagement with student-athletes. Over the past 33 years, Sports Backers and the Richmond Times-Dispatch have awarded nearly $1.5 million in scholarships to area students.

Each graduating participant received a $2,500 scholarship. In addition, students had the opportunity to apply for further awards. Highlights include:

• ALL Star MVP Awards ($4,000 each): Mercedes Luna (Maggie Walker Governor’s School) and Riley Humphries (Prince George High School)
• Thirst for Knowledge Award ($2,500): Mary Mansfield (Matoaca High School)
• Community Impact Awards (in memory of Ray Patterson and Cheryl Oliver, $2,500 each): Adrian Chenoweth (Maggie Walker Governor’s School) and Aliyana Johnson (Hopewell High School)
• Sports Standout Awards ($2,500 each): Elliana Agustin (Hanover High School) and Patrick Harlow (Goochland High School)
• Team Player Award (in honor of Scott Schricker, $2,500): Tobias Suarez-Vasquez (Freeman High School)

A full list of graduates is available below.

Athlete First Name	Athlete Last Name	School Name
Adrian	Chenoweth	Maggie Walker Governor’s School
Aliyana	Johnson	Hopewell High School
Ashaney	Smith	Richmond High School For The Arts
Charlotte	Smith	St. Catherine’s School
Deon	Wright Jr.	Thomas Jefferson High School/Richmond Community High School
Elliana	Agustin	Hanover High School
Erin	Cotman	Maggie Walker Governor’s School
Gabriela	Linkonis	Collegiate School
Kaleb	Smith	Mechanicsville High School
MacKenzie	Strohhacker	Mechanicsville High School
Lila	Donnelly	Monacan High School
Lydia	Stumpf	Saint Gertrude High School
Mary	Mansfield	Matoaca High School
Mercedes	Luna	Maggie Walker Governor’s School
Molly	Sleman	Freeman High School
Patrick	Harlow	Goochland High School
Riley	Humphries	Prince George High School
Robbie	Seifert	Hanover High School
Sanaa	Moore	Henrico High School

The evening also marked the announcement of the Class of ‘26 ALL Stars. The committee selected 21 students from across the Richmond region to begin the program this August. Over the next school year, they will engage in sessions on Active Living 101, Active Living Inequities, Making a Difference Through Advocacy, and Life Beyond Sport. Mentors will host bi-monthly meetings to support and guide their cohort through additional learning and leadership development.

Athlete First Name	Athlete Last Name	School Name
Abigail	Martin	Maggie Walker Governor’s School
Anthony	Bastardi	Maggie Walker Governor’s School
Ariana	Crowley	Godwin High School
Carys	Khan	Mechanicsville High School
Charles	Lange	St. Christopher’s School
Charlotte	Baker	Appomattox Regional Governor’s School
Chloe	Harley	King William High School
Dylan	Cline	Midlothian High School
Ella	Saunders	The Steward School
Grace	White	Matoaca High School
John	Chen	Collegiate School
Kyria	Martinez	Saint Gertrude High School
Lillian	Davies	Maggie Walker Governor’s School
Lilly	Thoman	The Steward School
Lyntreal	Emory	Varina High School
Mia	Fairman	Godwin High School
Michael	Jackson	Hermitage High School
Paige	Suter	Freeman High School
Samyak	Gupta	Freeman High School
Savannah	Wright	Matoaca High School
Tess	Vithoulkas	Tucker High School

For more information about the program please visit https://www.sportsbackers.org/program/all-stars/.

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