Cecilia Beauchamp: A Bronx High School of Science Senior Heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl Week
NFL Latino Youth Honors Finalist
Cecilia Beauchamp, a senior at The Bronx High School of Science, is spending the week in New Orleans as one of eight nationwide finalists for the NFL Latino Youth Honors.
The Award
The second annual award from the NFL, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Procter & Gamble, honors outstanding seniors who excel in flag or tackle football and demonstrate community leadership and academic excellence.
Beauchamp’s Journey
Beauchamp told the Bronx Times that her flag football coach, whom she called “literally amazing,” secretly nominated her for the award, which she didn’t even know existed. She found out the good news once she was through the first round and named the winner representing the New York Jets. “That was surreal because I didn’t even know it was a thing.”
The Week in New Orleans
As the female winner representing the Jets and the AFC East, Beauchamp will be in New Orleans from February 5th through 10th, attending a gala and mentorship events, doing press interviews and of course, watching the Super Bowl. The male and female national winners will be announced during the week at NFL Honors, the league’s primetime awards show. Each winner will receive a $25,000 grant for college, with the other six finalists receiving $5,000.
Beauchamp’s Love for Football
Beauchamp’s love for football started at an early age, and her dad taught her how to throw a football before any other athletic skill. “That was the first thing he ever taught me,” she said. “That kind of became our thing.”
The Team’s Collective Mindset
Beauchamp started mainly playing basketball and tennis, but when she found out that Bronx Science had a flag football team, she thought it would be a great opportunity to participate in something unique. Beauchamp signed on as a freshman and ended up being named starting quarterback and captain. She quickly recognized that while her teammates came from all different athletic backgrounds, they were eager to learn a new sport and “be around other passionate athletes,” she said.
The Week in Preparation
In preparation for the New Orleans trip, Beauchamp admitted her NFL and Super Bowl loyalties are somewhat divided this year. “I have so much love and gratitude for the Jets because I won for them,” she said. However, both of her parents were born and raised in Philadelphia, and with the Eagles playing in the big game, she knows who she’ll be rooting for. “It’s our comeback year,” she said. “We are gonna beat the Chiefs.”
The Cultural Aspect
In addition to the sporting side of the award, Beauchamp also appreciates the cultural aspect. Being Puerto Rican has “always been important to who I am,” she said. She grew up listening to reggaeton and bomba music, cooking with her abuela and speaking Spanglish. Beauchamp called herself “an imperfect Latina” who embraces the duality of cultures that make up her family. “That’s okay and makes me even more authentic.”
Conclusion
Beauchamp’s journey to New Orleans is not only an exciting experience but also a meaningful one. The NFL Latino Youth Honors is a celebration of her identity as a student, athlete, and Latina, showing the world that representation matters. “We are here and we are present. I am here, and I’m going to the Super Bowl. I can’t wait.”
FAQs
Q: What is the NFL Latino Youth Honors award?
A: The NFL Latino Youth Honors award honors outstanding seniors who excel in flag or tackle football and demonstrate community leadership and academic excellence.
Q: How did Cecilia Beauchamp find out about the award?
A: Her flag football coach secretly nominated her for the award, which she didn’t even know existed.
Q: What will Cecilia Beauchamp do during her week in New Orleans?
A: She will attend a gala and mentorship events, do press interviews, and watch the Super Bowl.
Q: What is the prize for the winners?
A: The male and female national winners will receive a $25,000 grant for college, with the other six finalists receiving $5,000.
