John Jay High School Student Nominated for 'Heart of a Giant' Award

HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY — Three Hudson Valley students are in the third round of nominees for the 2022 Heart of a Giant award, including Nathaniel Garibaldi of John Jay High School.

The award is presented annually by Hospital for Special Surgery and the NY Giants after several rounds of voting for outstanding high school football players in the Tri-State area. Students are nominated by their coaches for commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

Overall, there will be six weekly finalists and five wild card finalists, leading to 11 total honorees. Each finalist will receive $1,000 for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $10,000. The grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant.

Putnam Valley High School’s Marcos Oliviera was in the first set of nominees.

Round 3 of the contest is open for voting until Oct. 9.

Here are the local week 3 nominees and what their coaches said about them:

Grace Galgano, Brewster High School

Character - I believe that character is the key characteristics because when someone has this attribute, it embodies all the others on the list.

It is difficult to put forth one example of character because it is what Grace does each day, it’s a lifestyle and who she is as a person. However, her work with our life skills students who are disabled speaks very clearly to her character. She has dedicated herself to helping to make their lives better and more productive. Her work is not required and does not receive accolades, which is true character. Doing wonderful things when no one is looking.

Nathaniel Garibaldi, John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction

Dedication - Nate is a player of our program who going into his sophomore year over the summer he had a cardiac arrest while at a friend’s house.

He died 4 times but came back to life 5! He was shocked several times but now has a pacemaker. He is unable to play football anymore, but he comes to every practice, films, charts plays, sets up drills and is an integral part of our game day procedures.

Wibel Maria, Sleepy Hollow High School

Character - Wibel has organized team activities outside of the ones set up by the coaching staff. Wibel has been involved in community services venture without being told and finally Wibel has found time to motivate our jv football players to be the best they can be.

ALSO SEE: Putnam Valley Student Nominated for 'Heart of a Giant' Award