Recognizing and honoring San Gabriel Valley’s and Greater Pasadena’s high school senior top student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic achievements.
"On behalf of Lawrence Spicer, I would like to thank your organization for awarding him. He is extremely honored to have received such a prestigious award from a pool of highly qualified athletes.
- Delphine J. Spicer
Pasadena / San Gabriel Valley Chapter
The Pasadena / San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation is pleased to announce that JD Sanchez of Charter Oak High School is their named scholar-athlete for the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame 2026 Team of Distinction.
During his tenure in high school, JD carried a GPA of 4.58 while taking Advanced Placement, Honors and International Baccalaureate classes, and was a member of both the National Honor Society and California Scholastic Federation. He was on the Principal’s Honor Roll and served on 2025 Honor Guard. JD participated in several clubs including the God Moments Club, Latino Student Union, and the Mental Health Club.
His athletic accomplishments include: All League, All San Gabriel Valley, All CIF (2023, 2024, 2025), and JD was named the San Gabriel Valley Tribune Defensive Player of the Year and All State.
Through the San Gabriel Valley / Pasadena Chapter of the National Football Foundation, JD was awarded as a Scholar-Athlete and received a Tournament of Roses Scholarship.
JD’s service to his community includes volunteering at the Charter Oak Youth Football Camp, St. Louise de Marillac Church, and the National Football Foundation – Pasadena /SGV chapter.
The Pasadena / San Gabriel Valley chapter of the National Football Foundation honors student-athletes from the following schools: Alhambra, Arcadia, Arroyo, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bassett, Bell Gardens, Bishop Amat, Blair, Bonita, California, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary, Charter Oak, Claremont, Covina, Damien, Diamond Bar, Diamond Ranch, Don Bosco, Duarte, El Monte, El Rancho, Gabrielino, Ganesha, Garey, Gladstone, Glen A. Wilson, Glendora, John Muir, La Canada, La Puente, La Salle, Los Altos, Maranatha, Mark Keppel, Marshall Fundamental, Monrovia, Montebello, Mountain View, Nogales, Northview, Pasadena, Pasadena Poly, Pioneer, Pomona, Rio Hondo Prep, Rosemead, Rowland, Salesian, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Fe, Schurr, Sierra Vista, South El Monte, South Hills, South Pasadena, St. Francis, St. Paul, Temple City, Walnut, Webb, West Covina, Whittier and Workman.
“Often times a high school student is so focused on the next step they forget what past accomplishments they have had. Completing the application process was a great reminder of what my son has done thus far… The banquet, the student athletes and guest speakers were inspiring. It was truly an evening that my son will never forget.”
NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
Left to right: Speaker Coach Vincent Farrar, 2026 National Team of Distinction Scholar-Athlete JD Sanchez of Charter Oak High School and Chapter President Tony Ortega.
2025/2026 Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley
Scholar-Athletes
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©2026 National Football Foundation - Pasadena / San Gabriel Valley Chapter, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, Tax ID 95-4402414
P.O. Box 93396 City of Industry, CA 91715-3396 562-458-8895 Email Us
A chapter of the National Football Foundation