It wasn’t that way back that Evergreen Park Community High School junior Eduardo Antunez didn’t know learn how to play soccer.
But now that it has turn into such an enormous a part of his younger life, Antunez is giving again to the group that launched him to the game, the Evergreen Park Stallions.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive finish/offensive lineman could also be used to giving again to his group, however he grew to become a receiver earlier this month as he was named the ninth and ultimate recipient of the Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award for the 2023 season.
“Eduardo is an extremely hard worker,” Evergreen Park soccer coach Jerry Verde mentioned. “He is always looking to do more than just the minimum. He never looks for shortcuts, but instead leads by example both on and off the field. With so many players that get caught up in the ‘all about me’ mindset, Eduardo stands out as a player that always puts the team first.”
He’s the sort of child that all the time steps up.
“Whether we had a need on special teams or just needed an extra player to help out on a practice prep team, he always volunteered to help,” Verde mentioned. “From a service standpoint, when a team’s biggest and best players are making a difference in their community, it sets an example for younger players to be able to follow and aspire to.”
Along with the award from the Bears, Antunez acquired a hand-painted soccer, reward bag and an invite to a future Bears occasion. The Bears may even make a $500 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his title.
“I want to hopefully help kids that are sick,” Antunez mentioned. “I was surprised that I got it and was reminded that my mom signed me up for it,” he mentioned. “I didn’t think I’d get it because of all the schools in the Chicago area, but I’m happy to get it and to represent my school.”
The award, which was introduced to Antunez May 4 at EPCHS, acknowledges particular athletes like Antunez who’re making a optimistic impression not solely at their highschool but in addition all through the group.
“When I was 8 and we moved here I started some new things and the Stallions was basically where it all started with football for me,” he mentioned. “They hold their camp at Evergreen Park and I’ve done it the last two years. I’m so happy to see the little kids come in and learn about football. I know what that was like being in their position and not knowing anything about football.”
Now, Antunez is doing plenty of the instructing. He’s an lively volunteer with the Stallions youth soccer groups, devoting a substantial amount of time to mentoring younger athletes and instructing them a few sport he’s keen about.
“Evergreen Park is the kind of community where everybody knows everybody, so I’m happy to be able to help others here,” he mentioned. “We’re a small community and I think that makes it even more important to give back, you know, since we are so lucky to grow up in such a nice neighborhood. It’s really nice here with friendly people.”
In addition to all of his efforts with the Stallions, Antunez has participated in a wide range of group service initiatives, together with a Toys for Tots drive and a Veterans Day breakfast at his faculty.
“It really opens up your eyes about how really blessed we are, and it makes we want to help out more, and I’ve been trying to,” he mentioned. “Helping out can be nice and calming and help your sense of well being.”
While the gridiron could also be his favourite place, he’s actually a year-round athlete, competing for the varsity’s monitor and subject workforce now this spring whereas having wrestled within the winter, the place he was a two-time state qualifier.
“Football is my number one, but I’ve also wrestled for about the same amount of time,” he mentioned. “It’s all important to me. I picked up track and field my sophomore year and am throwing the shot put and discus. It just became a normal thing to do all of this. I’m able to manage my schedule, it’s not too hard, and to have fun with it.”
Somehow he’s capable of finding sufficient time to review the place he’s shining within the classroom with a 3.75 GPA and a member of the Evergreen Park National Honor Society.
“Academics are important to me because I know that to go to a good college and get into a good football program, you need the grades so the coaches can know you can manage both,” he mentioned. “I can keep up with my school work just by managing my time really. I do whatever I can in school and everything else outside of school or when I have the time.”
C.R. Walker is a contract reporter for the Daily Southtown.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com