2026 Green 13 Recipients

Now in its seventh year, the Green 13 Award continues to celebrate the remarkable student-athletes who exemplify what it means to be Green. These are the leaders who consistently show high character, selflessness, and a deep commitment to making those around them better.

This past year, students and athletes across the country experienced Lead ‘Em Up, and with it, the challenge to step up, lead, and live green. Our Green 13 Award honors the best of the best: individuals who don’t just talk leadership, they live it.

Each spring, coaches and teachers from across our Lead ‘Em Up community nominate their top leaders for consideration. This year brought in a record number of nominations, with stories pouring in from all over the country. After reading through countless inspiring examples of leadership, encouragement, grit, and growth, we’ve selected 13 young leaders who stood above the rest.

The 2026 Green 13 aren’t just leaders on the field or in the classroom, they’re leaders everywhere. They bring energy when it’s lacking. They give more than they take. They serve their teammates and make people feel seen. They are a living, breathing example of what it means to be 100% Green.

As part of this year’s honor, each Green 13 recipient will receive an exclusive Lead ‘Em Up swag pack, a Green Team recognition plaque, and, thanks to our incredible partners at Chick-fil-A, they’ll enjoy FREE CHICK-FIL-A FOR A YEAR.

We couldn’t be more excited to share their stories with you. These young leaders have left a mark on their teams and schools, and now, they’ve earned their spot among the Green 13.

Aurore Staruk

Middletown High School, Cheerleading

Aurore leads with a quiet strength that grounds her entire team. As a first year cheerleader, she embraced the challenge of earning a varsity spot through sheer consistency and a ready to work attitude. Her gentleness is her greatest leadership asset. She encourages teammates and remains humble even after achieving major goals.

During a difficult practice session, a flyer accidentally hit Aurore in the eye. Instead of sitting out or placing blame, she took a moment to compose herself and then gathered her team. She used the accident as a teaching moment to improve timing and communication. Her ability to remain calm under pressure and use setbacks as opportunities to grow makes her a model Green leader.

Ellie Longeville

Princeton High School, Multi-Sport Athlete

Ellie is a beacon of light in every environment she enters. A three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, and softball, she manages a demanding schedule with discipline and humility. Her peers and staff recently voted her the most “Green” student in the entire school, a testament to her unwavering integrity.

She leads through accountability. Whether she is in the classroom or on the field, Ellie gives maximum effort and encourages those around her to do the same. She operates from a space of compassion, ensuring her teammates feel supported and seen regardless of the score.

Lexie Lueckeman

Air Academy High School, Tennis

Lexie exemplifies servant leadership through initiative. Before the first match of the year, she organized a team activity where players wrote positive affirmations on their arms to encourage one another during tough moments. She did this without being asked, simply because she saw a way to connect her teammates.

She brings a unique blend of confidence and humility to the courts. Lexie is the loudest voice on the sidelines, cheering for both JV and Varsity players with equal enthusiasm. She anticipates needs before they arise and fills them without seeking credit. Her presence makes her team a more life-giving place.

Alex Rodriguez

Oakdale High School, Football

Alex is the definition of consistency. He is the same leader every single day, never swaying toward the “Grey” or “Red” regardless of the circumstances. During a state semi-final game where his team trailed by 14 points, Alex remained calm. He told his teammates he had it handled, then dominated the field as the team scored 42 unanswered points.

His leadership is built on a foundation of work ethic and inclusion. He is always ready to work and sets the tone for the entire program through his actions.

Rowan Conroy

Walt Whitman High School, Basketball

Rowan possesses a level of positive body language and attitude that is rare in high school athletics. His energy is contagious, and he never has an “off day” when it comes to his spirit.

His leadership extends beyond the court. Rowan recently went out of his way to work one-on-one with a struggling teammate to ensure they remained academically eligible. He helped with assignments and test preparation, proving that he is the ultimate team guy. If you want to know what a captain should look like, you look at Rowan.

Will Shapiro

Walt Whitman High School, Boys Varsity Basketball

Will is an elite leader whose poise under pressure has anchored his program for four years. As a sophomore, he hit a viral, buzzer-beating three-pointer in the state semifinal game that led off SportsCenter. While that sudden fame would cause many to lose focus, Will handled it with rare humility and grace, proving no stage is too big for him.

He is the living embodiment of “turn the cool off,” doing whatever it takes to win and pulling his teammates along with him. What sets Will apart is his mastery of peer accountability. He has the rare confidence to demand higher standards from teammates without coming across negatively. Whether on the court, in the classroom, or serving his community, Will always does the right thing with immense integrity.

Izaias Clemmons

Port Washington High School, Basketball

“Zay” carries a torch of leadership that has pushed the Port Washington program to new heights. During a state championship run, as the only non-senior starter, he was the voice in the huddle telling the team to keep fighting and trust each other.

He has been verified Green since his sophomore year. He makes it his mission to connect with every teammate daily, using his charismatic personality to uplift the entire room. His infectious spirit has set a standard for excellence in his region.

Isaiah Baxter

John Handley High School, Basketball

Isaiah has one of the fastest “40-yard Red dashes” we have ever seen. When he notices himself slipping into a negative mindset, he has a physical cue to snap himself back into the Green. This level of self-awareness is incredible.

Despite facing significant personal challenges outside of his control, Isaiah views the choice to be Green as a privilege and a joy. He led his team to their first state title in over a century by challenging everyone to match his relentless work ethic. He went from a quiet “lead by example” player to a vocal leader who actively pulls greatness out of his teammates.

Noa Moreira

Damascus High School, Cheerleading

Noa is a natural rally point for her team. Whenever practices become difficult, she is the first to pull the group together to remind them why they matter. She has built deep trust with her coaches and teammates through her unwavering commitment to elevating everyone around her.

She leads by putting the team first in every situation. Whether it is celebrating a success or navigating a high-pressure moment, Noa remains composed and focused. She does not seek recognition. She simply does the work required to build unity and resilience.

Beau Burnette

Sewanee, Lacrosse

Beau’s story is one of incredible perseverance. Shortly before a major conference game, Beau received news that his home had burned down. Despite losing nearly everything, his focus remained on his team and their collective goals. He rallied his teammates and played at an elite level to secure a victory.

Even when sidelined by injury, Beau remained a “coach-like” presence on the field. He is the lead communicator for his defense, doing the quiet work behind the scenes to keep the unit cohesive. His gratitude and selflessness have made him a pillar of the Sewanee Lacrosse family.

Alex Johnson

North Muskegon High School, Soccer

Alex is a “Sweep the Sheds” leader. After a tough loss, Alex stayed behind after the fans and players had left to pick up trash from the bleachers and both benches. She lives by the motto “cleaner than you found it.”

She has an “it” factor that draws people in, but she backs it up with a relentless desire to grow. She handles team drama before it becomes a problem and takes feedback better than almost any athlete her coaches have seen. She is a talented All-State player who understands that her true value lies in how she serves her program.

Sadie Tirrell

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, Field Hockey & Softball

Sadie is perhaps the most admirable student-athlete to ever walk the halls of Saint Joseph’s. As a two-year captain for two different sports, she has immersed herself in leadership development. She used her platform to organize a Domestic Violence Awareness game, coordinating with campus counselors to provide tools and information for the community.

She recognizes that everyone has leadership qualities and works to bring them out of her teammates. She champions her teammates’ growth, setting a standard for dedication and integrity that will remain engrained in her programs for years to come.

Becca Burgess

Middletown High School, Basketball

Becca is the ultimate outworker. Although she was not a starter, her impact on the team was undeniable because of her selflessness. Even during a game where the team was down by 50 points, Becca played as if it were a one-point game, leading in effort and every hustle statistic.

She is the first on the gym floor and the last to leave. She handles the “dirty work” like diving for loose balls and setting screens without hesitation. Becca proves that leadership is not about stats or starting spots; it is about the heart you bring to every moment.

Honorable Mentions

• Keith Agba – CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering – Varsity Football
• Kaitlyn Staiger – Oakdale High School – Varsity Field Hockey
• Leah Remsberg – Middletown High School – Varsity Field Hockey
• Wallace Sullivan – Tenth Street Elementary School – Green Team Leadership
• Alice Fink – Middletown High School – JV Softball
• John Klinedinst – Plymouth High School – Varsity Football
• Jabarious Garror – CF Vigor High School – Varsity Football
• Callie Lee – Winston Churchill High School – Varsity Field Hockey
• Elizabeth Donmoyer – Quince Orchard High School – Girls Varsity Soccer
• Madison Diehl – Quince Orchard High School – Girls Varsity Basketball
• Gabe Bouwens – Zeeland West High School – Varsity Basketball
• Christy Ricketts – Zeeland West High School – Character & Leadership
• Aislinn Sell – Damascus High School – Varsity Softball
• Ashley Kinsey – Middletown High School – Girls Varsity Flag Football
• Megan Tross – Middletown High School – Girls Varsity Flag Football
• Jack Williams – Calvert Hall College High School – Varsity Lacrosse
• Lucas Sheeler – Bel Air High School – Boys Varsity Lacrosse
• Will Shapiro – Walt Whitman High School – Boys Varsity Basketball
• Oliver Noll – Calvert Hall College High School – Varsity Football
• Mia Haynes – Worcester State University – Women’s Varsity Basketball
• Amanda Dow – Our Lady of Good Counsel High School – Field Hockey & Swimming
• Chase Beard – Middletown High School – Boys Varsity Basketball
• Brady Mollot – Archbishop Spalding High School – Boys Varsity Lacrosse
• Sage Gettig – Middletown High School – Varsity Swimming & Diving
• Cadee Bennett – New Kent High School – Varsity Volleyball & Tennis
• Molly Spindler – Gibson Southern High School – Girls Varsity Basketball
• Abby Trenaman – Port Washington Schreiber High School – Girls Varsity Softball
• Jackson Ellis – Shining Light Academy – Boys Varsity Basketball
• Madeline Klien – Liberty High School – Girls Varsity Lacrosse
• Calvin Morris – Hood College – Men’s Varsity Lacrosse
• Leah Harshman – Middletown High School – Varsity Swimming & Diving
• Madison Lebel – Saint Joseph’s College of Maine – Women’s Varsity Basketball
• Elisabeth “Ellie” Johnson – Erie High School – Track & Field
• Lexie Lueckeman – Air Academy High School – Girls Varsity Tennis
• William Drakeford Jr – Quince Orchard High School – Varsity Football
• Marissa Zonnebelt – North Muskegon High School – Girls Varsity Soccer
• Jaden McDuffie – South River High School – Varsity Football & Basketball
• Katie Gobell – Hereford High School – Girls Varsity Lacrosse
• Kayla Lederer – East Meadow High School – Field Hockey, Basketball & Lacrosse
• Jonah Hall – South River High School – Boys Varsity Basketball
• Carlos Valladares – Millbrook High School – Varsity Football
• Mackenzie Owens – Winston Churchill High School – Varsity Cheerleading
• Noah Powell – Middletown High School – Varsity Golf
• Kayla Grissom – Frederick High School – Varsity Cheerleading
• Jackson Schalick – Frostburg State University – Varsity Baseball
• Jaylin Ouattara – Northwest High School – Boys Varsity Basketball
• Grant Pacholke – Rice Lake High School – Boys Varsity Basketball
• Isla Truby – Tenth Street Elementary School – 6th Grade Basketball
• Diana Contreras – Concord High School – Girls Varsity Basketball
• Ayden Fuchs – Carterville High School – Varsity Soccer & Lead Class
• Lisa Quarshie – Clarksburg High School – Varsity Cheerleading