The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and Moda Health announced today the winners of the 2020-2021 Moda Health Player of the Game / Athlete of the Meet Scholarships. Junior Nina Takahashi of Southridge High School and senior Tate Reese of Sunset High School each receive a $1,000 scholarship to the school, college, or university of their choice.

Moda Health has sponsored the Player of the Game / Athlete of the Meet program since the 2010-2011 school year. In a typical year, a total of 406 student-athletes receive recognition for their achievements in the following events:

• Cross Country
• Volleyball championship matches
• Boys and Girls Soccer championship games
• Football semifinal and championship games
• Boys and Girls Basketball State Championships final site games
• Swimming
• Wrestling
• Track & Field
• Golf
• Tennis
• Baseball championship games
• Softball championship games

Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the OSAA and Moda Health made the decision to make all 2020-2021 varsity students eligible to apply for a scholarship. The opportunity to apply was extended to all OSAA-sanctioned activities for the first time. To apply, a student must write a personal essay describing areas in which he or she has demonstrated leadership through involvement in academics, co-curricular activities and community organizations. Two letters of recommendation are also required.

Nina Takahashi participates in Dance/Drill as a member of the Southridge Hawkettes. As a three-year varsity member of the team, Nina has emerged as a leader on her team and in the larger school community. She was instrumental in the re-founding of the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Union (APISU) at Southridge, serving as President. The APISU has provided an outlet for Asian-American students, which has proven especially important after the rise of anti-Asian violence that coincided with Covid-19. She also served as a panel presenter this year at the Community-Wide Conversations Around Race that her school hosts annually. Nina participates in Student Government, as well. One school administrator describes Nina as “a team player, hard worker, and an individual that has a great understanding of the true values that lead to success while knowing the benefits from being engaged in her community.”   

Tate Reese is a multi-sport athlete at Sunset, earning two varsity letters in Basketball and three in Tennis. He was voted in by his basketball teammates as captain for the 2021 season. Tate is also a member of the National Honor Society. His greatest impact, however, is felt as a peer buddy for students with developmental disabilities, which he began doing in middle school and continued through his senior year. He was able to combine his desire to help others and passion for basketball by volunteering for the Beaverton Hoop Stars. As many as 40 kids participate in a practice, all of whom have their own specific challenges and skill levels. Tate designed drills and activities that everyone could do, teaching how to dribble, pass, and shoot. Along the way, his goal was to demonstrate what it means to be a good sport and good teammate. Tate will attend Santa Clara University.

For more information on the Moda Health Players of the Game / Athletes of the Meet program, please visit http://www.osaa.org/awards/player-of-the-game.