Heroes Assembly

John Glinski ’68 was a Salpointe student with tremendous athletic potential.  He was “bound to be an All-American,” and “….destined to be the greatest athlete ever to come out of Salpointe High School.”  Cancer was discovered as he prepared to enter Salpointe, but during his freshman and part of his sophomore years, between surgeries and recoveries, he continued to play sports for Salpointe with great courage and strength. He received his letterman’s sweater and honorary varsity letters in football and baseball from the Salpointe Lettermen’s Club and the Student Council selected him as the Salpointe Student of the Year. He passed away in May of 1966.

The Glinski Award commemorates the life of John Glinski. The recipient is an exceptional junior football player who shows academic promise.  He has firm moral convictions and possesses a thirst for life, possibly overcoming obstacles in his own life. Finally, the winner of the John Glinski Award displays determination as an exemplary student athlete.  The award is given at the annual Heroes Assembly in the fall of each year.

The Carlos Valencia Humanitarian Award commemorates the life of Carlos Valencia ’06. We remember Carlos for his courage and strength against all odds. Carlos was a young man of compassion, love, generosity and simple living.

While a student at Salpointe he fought the battle against Leukemia. Carlos persevered with humility, optimism, courage and faith. During the course of his illness over 6000 people were tested as possible bone marrow donors while the Tucson community searched for a match for Carlos. Unfortunately, a match was never found but many others with the disease received bone marrow transplants and their lives were saved. Carlos died early in his Junior year on August 8, 2004.

At the annual Salpointe Catholic High School Heroes Assembly, a member of the Junior class who possesses great courage and strength especially in difficult times is honored in memory of Carlos.  Much like Carlos, the recipient goes about life in a selfless manner, understands the true meaning of “community” and inspires us to think beyond ourselves.