How to become a LEGACY at Esperanza

To become a Legacy it is required that you compete in all 8 seasons of running at Esperanza.  This is four seasons of cross country and four seasons of track.  The Legacy Books started in 2003 and the first recipients of the Legacy Books were 2003 graduates Mike Chavez and Ralph Pettus.  In turn, after earning a Legacy, the recipient chooses a freshman on the team to carry their Legacy on into the next 4 years.  If the recipient of the Legacy book completes 8 seasons of running as an Aztec they will have the opportunity to pass on their very own Legacy to their freshman of choice as well as the older Legacy.  Mike Chavez chose Spencer Sheridan (Cross Country Freshman of the Year) and Ralph Pettus chose Sean Tran. 

Spencer and Sean (2006 graduating class) will have the first opportunity to pass on a 2^nd generation Legacy book to the 3^rd recipients of their choice.  The recipients of these Legacy books will graduate in 2009. However, if an athlete must stop their running career short of 8 seasons the Legacy is shelved and will end the tribute. 

If Spencer and Sean (hopefully they will) complete 8 seasons they will be faced with a difficult decision with their very own Legacy.  They will have the opportunity to pass on two Legacy Books, their own and the older Legacy.  Will they risk their first choice on someone that may not complete 4 seasons and give the older legacy to their 2^nd choice?  Or will they sacrifice their own Legacy to give their first choice the respect of the older Legacy?  They will have to choose wisely.  

Competing in all 8 seasons is not an easy task. There are many distractions for a high school athlete on the way to graduation.  The first and obvious is academics itself.  All student-athletes have obstacles of homework, exams and projects.  Juggling school and athletics is not easy.  Many of our student-athletes are involved with orchestra, ASB, the school paper and honors classes amongst other school activities. It is also common for students to choose to work while in high school or become more involved with church.

Outside of the day to day school activities student-athletes have home responsibilities as well.  Add social affairs to the mix and it is any wonder that anyone has the time for committing to four full years of competing. 

The recipient of a Legacy Book has met the above challenges and has overcome many obstacles in his high school career as a student-athlete.  To be able to successfully overcome these high school challenges and earn a Legacy along the way is testimonial of the recipient’s character.  An individual that sets out and earns his Legacy will no doubt be ready to conquer his goals that lie ahead after high school. 

HALL OF FAME LEGACY

A Hall of Fame Legacy Book (Mike Chavez 2003,Tyler Patterson 2004 and Mike McFawn 2005) is earned by an athlete that has not only demonstrated  physical gifts by breaking records or having posted times that land on the All-Time Top 10 Lists, but who have also left a profound effect on their teammates and coach as leaders.  These athletes may not have completed 8 seasons like Tyler Patterson (2004) or Mike McFawn (2005) but they finished their senior season giving everything they had to the team.  A Hall of Fame Legacy is distinguished because they have excelled or sacrificed more than their peers.  To earn a Hall of Fame Legacy is the ultimate tribute for a runner at Esperanza High School.

Hall of Fame Legacy and their recipient

Mike Chavez (2003)
To
Spencer Sheridan (2006)

Tyler Patterson (2004)
To
Scott Chadez (2007)

Mike McFawn (2005)
To
David Cummings (2008)

Legacy Books and their recipient

 Ralph Pettus (2003)
To
Sean Tran (2006)

Chris Boulos (2004)
To
Kevin Wei (2007)

Chris Dooley (2004)
To
Jason Stokes (2007)