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Manteca FC to honor top student-athletes
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Six standouts representing the Manteca Futbol Club are being recognized for their talents off the pitch as well as on it.

Manteca FC is hosting its Leadership Awards Dinner at Papapavlo’s Bistro & Bar in Stockton on Thursday night starting at 6. Jacob Garcia, Vincent Hernandez, Jaden Hall, Malina Hill, Yasmin Ballew and Jadyn Shinn are the players who will be honored. While MFC is based in Manteca, many of its athletes hail from different parts of the Central Valley.

The six players are touted for their involvement in community service and excellence in academics. Each of them will be set up with a $100 Fidelity 529 College Investment Plan.

Ballew, Hill and Shinn are teammates on the Manteca FC Red Stars 01 squad and are among the most all-around decorated student-athletes. All three are 4.0 students and have played on US Club Soccer Regional Player Development Program teams. Ballew and Shinn are currently members of the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program at the state level. Shinn captains the 01 State ODP team, trains at the U.S. National Training Center once a month and made the Top 18 Region IV All-Tournament team.

They are just as impressive away from the field. Ballew hosts weekly character and service gatherings and regularly volunteers her time at a local homeless shelter. Hill is fifth grade class president at her school, takes all honors classes and collects books to send to the Philippines for poor kids.

Hall plays for the Manteca FC Flash 02, is a 4.0 student and Regional PDP selection the past two years.

Garcia holds a 3.5 GPA and plays for the Red Bulls 99.

Hernandez of the Red Bulls 02 is highly involved at school and in church. He is on the student council and has helped coordinate school events such as Olympic Day, Spirit Week, rallies and dances. On Sunday’s he is an alter server helps the elderly through the Senior Ministry at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.