Park Vista junior Breanna Pina picked up a big honor this week.
The three-year varsity cross-country athlete has been named a Semper Fidelis All-American Award winner.
Park Vista cross-country athlete Breanna Pina received the Semper Fidelis All-American Award in a ceremony Thursday night. (Photo provided)
Presented annually by the United States Marine Corps, the award recognizes high school students “who face life’s battles with the conviction and determination to succeed,” according to the award’s website.
These students embody the same fighting spirit that the Marines stand for by taking on the challenges of succeeding academically while bettering their communities and excelling in athletics and extracurricular activities.
Award-winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to attend the four-day Battles Won Academy in Washington, D.C., in July.
There they will participate in daily workouts, an immersive Marine Corps experience on base in Quantico, a community service event, team-building outings, and a tour of the nation’s capital.
Pina, who is ranked among the top 5 percent in her class, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, competes for her school’s debate team, and participates in the Duke University Talent Identification Program.
She also helped found a charity called 2 Kids4Books that collects and distributes books to those in need.
As a cross-country athlete, she was awarded Park Vista’s Most Valuable Player Award for the past two years.