Joey Sanchis and Sydney Thomason are among the 41 high school seniors who have earned the Sac-Joaquin Section A. Dale Lacky and Clarke Coover Memorial Scholar-Athlete awards, which recognize athletic performance, community service and academic success. 

The award winners are typically rewarded with scholarship money and treated to a breakfast ceremony hosted by the Section. There will unfortunately be no financial rewards given or an in-person ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The scholarships are funded in part by Foundation Games, exhibition basketball and volleyball events contested by

A ceremony will still be held by the Section via Zoom on May 11. 

The Clark Coover Memorial Award goes to the top two honorees — Elijah Lattig of Escalon and Alexa Ultreras of Le Grand.

Sanchis is a four-year football and track and field standout at Lathrop High. He also played basketball for one season. 

A two-way star on the football team, the wide receiver/cornerback has earned the team’s Offensive MVP and Outstanding Defensive Back awards. He’s also a two-time MVP for the Spartans track team and will continue his career in the sport at the University of Portland.  

Sanchis serves as student-body president and Manteca Unified student board member. A member of the Interact Club, he has volunteered his time during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter events. 

Sanchis holds a 4.13 grade-point average, ranking him 12th out of 342 among the LHS senior class. He plans on majoring in political science or English with career aspirations in law.

Thomason has played three varsity sports at Ripon High, most notably softball. She was named All-Trans-Valley League Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore when the Indians claimed the SJS Division IV championship and were named Cal-Hi Sports Division IV State Team of the Year. Thomason is taking her talents to the University of Nebraska-Kearney. 

Thomason has also played volleyball for Ripon all four years and basketball for two, earning All-TVL honors in both sports. She’s a member of California Scholarship Federation, Link Crew, Ping Pong Club and Bug Club. She volunteers a local recycling center, community runs and Love Ripon. 

Ranked 13th in her class of 234, Thomason has a 4.14 GPA and looks to major in computer science. Her goal is to be a computer programmer at a major tech company.