John Glinski and Carlos Valencia Award Winners Named for 2019

Salpointe recently honored and remembered two very special Lancers who left us too soon at the annual Heroes Assembly: John Glinski '68, who succumbed to cancer in 1966, and Carlos Valencia '06, who lost the battle to leukemia in 2004.

Junior recipients of this year's awards are: David Cordero receiving theJohn Glinski award and Michael Gerbais receiving the Carlos Valencia Humanitarian award. Both of these Lancers model the characteristics of John and Carlos and represent the true meaning of being a Lancer.

John Glinski ’68 was a Salpointe student with tremendous athletic potential. He was “bound to be an All-American,” and “….destined to be the greatest athlete ever to come out of Salpointe High School.” Cancer was discovered as he prepared to enter Salpointe, but during his freshman and part of his sophomore years, between surgeries and recoveries, he continued to play sports for Salpointe with great courage and strength.

John received his letterman’s sweater and honorary varsity letters in football and baseball from the Salpointe Lettermen’s Club and the Student Council selected him as the Salpointe Student of the Year. He passed away in May of 1966.

The Carlos Valencia Humanitarian Award commemorates the life of Carlos Valencia ’06. We remember Carlos for his courage and strength against all odds. Carlos was a young man of compassion, love, generosity and simple living.

While a student at Salpointe, Carlos fought the battle against Leukemia. Carlos persevered with humility, optimism, courage and faith. During the course of his illness over 6,000 people were tested as possible bone marrow donors while the Tucson community searched for a match for Carlos. Unfortunately, a match was never found, but many others with the disease received bone marrow transplants and their lives were saved. Carlos died early in his Junior year on August 8, 2004.

The spirits of John and Carlos live on at Salpointe today and we are honored to remember the profound impact they made on the lives of everyone around them.
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Salpointe Catholic High School

1545 E. Copper St.,
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-6581
Attendance: (520) 327-1990
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