PVWH Community Partnerships
Downtown Visalia Kiwanis - Spring 2026
May 12, 2026
In partnership with the Downtown Visalia Kiwanis, TCOE’s CHARACTER COUNTS!
Program celebrated this fall’s Pursuing Victory with Honor (PVWH) student-athletes at
a lunch on Tuesday. The Downtown Visalia Kiwanis recognizes student-athletes,
nominated by their coaches, each season for their sportsmanship. The awards included
a certificate, patch, and lawn sign that reads "An Athlete of Character Lives Here.”
Below is a list of the Pursuing Victory with Honor award winners along with snippets
from their coaches.
Central Valley Christian High School
Cody Roark - Boys Track and Field
Cody competes in shot put and discus and serves as a team captain. A three‑sport athlete in football, basketball, and track, he has improved each season. Cody is a reliable teammate and leader who works hard daily and supports others. He competes with fairness and respect, represents his school well, and consistently pursues victory with honor.
Elle Bothof - Girls Track and Field
Elle is a captain on our track team, competing in sprints and relays. She is a determined athlete who consistently works to improve, earning PRs in the 100 and 200 races this season. She ranks in the top 10 in the CVC record books for the 100, 200, and 400 events. Elle contributes to every relay, leads by example, and is respected for her teamwork, sportsmanship, and commitment to competing with honor.
El Diamante High School
Melia Carlton - Cheer
Melia demonstrates strong character, athletic ability, and sportsmanship. As a captain, she helped lead her STUNT team to multiple playoff runs and her cheer team to a section title. She leads by example, takes accountability, and supports her teammates. She has earned an athletic scholarship for STUNT. Her work ethic, discipline, and team-first mindset make her a respected leader.
Lily Ruiz - Girls Swim
Lily exemplifies a strong student-athlete. She gives full effort without expecting recognition and stays humble with success. She is self-motivated and disciplined in swimming, academics, and media arts. She is selfless, supportive, and positive with teammates. Despite challenges over the past four years, she remains focused. She has been a valued part of the program and will be missed.
Golden West High School
Raegan Garland - Girls Track and Field
Raegan shows that sportsmanship is character, not performance. A four‑year Golden West track athlete, she leads through teamwork, integrity, and respect. She treats teammates, coaches, and opponents with kindness and supports younger athletes. Her positive attitude and commitment to representing her school well make her a strong role model. I am proud to recognize Raegan for her dedication to Pursuing Victory with Honor.
Nasiir McGaugh - Boys Track and Field
Nasiir shows that sportsmanship is character, not performance. A four‑year Golden West track athlete, he leads quietly by example and never seeks attention. His commitment to teamwork, support for others, and respectful treatment of teammates and opponents stand out. He is dependable, responsible, and fair in every practice and track meet. I am proud to recognize Nasiir for his dedication to Pursuing Victory with Honor.
Mt. Whitney High School
Noah Sanchez - Boys Track and Field
Noah is a senior distance runner and four-year member of the track program. He consistently shows respect and care for others, encouraging teammates and competitors. At meets, he supports runners at the finish line and helps keep the area clean. He is known across the area for his positive, uplifting attitude and sets a strong example for all athletes.
Dolores Carter - Girls Track and Field
Dolores is a senior track athlete and four-year leader in the program. She demonstrates responsibility, trustworthiness, and fairness. She leads teammates in contributing beyond competition, including meet setup, cleanup, and showing respect to officials and opponents. She sets and enforces high standards for the throwers group and consistently pushes herself and others to improve. She will be missed.
Redwood High School
Lainey Rowe - Girls Track and Field
Lainey models the six core values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. She encourages others to improve as athletes and individuals. She leads warmups, cleans up at meets, maintains strong academics, arrives on time, and stays positive. Lainey represents what coaches seek in an athlete and makes practices and meets more effective.
Zackahrie Vargas - Boys Track and Field
Zack models the six core values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. He encourages others to improve as athletes and individuals. He leads warmups, cleans up at meets, maintains strong academics, arrives on time, and stays positive. Zack represents what coaches seek in an athlete and makes practices and meets more effective.
Tulare Joint Union High School District Foundation - Spring 2026
May 19, 2026
In partnership with the Tulare Joint Union High School District Foundation, TCOE’s CHARACTER COUNTS! Program celebrated this fall’s Pursuing Victory with Honor (PVWH) student-athletes at a recognition breakfast this week. Each season, the Foundation honors student-athletes nominated by their coaches for outstanding sportsmanship. This semester's awardees received a certificate of achievement, a PVWH t-shirt, and a custom lawn sign that proudly reads, "An Athlete of Character Lives Here.”
Mission Oak High School
Kylee Gonzalez - Girls Track and Field
Kylee consistently pursues victory with honor, leading by example through sportsmanship, resilience, and doing what is right. She competes with integrity, treats others with respect, and represents her team and community with exceptional character and citizenship.
Owen Wininger - Boys Swim
Owen is conscientious about his responsibilities as a teammate and athlete. He committed to diving and swimming as a freshman, excelling in both. Throughout the season, he showed respect for coaches and teammates, earning their trust through his presence, effort, and strong performance.
Tulare Union High School
Taylor Lewis - Girls Softball
Taylor is an exceptional young woman and a true example of what a student‑athlete should be. Her character has earned the trust and respect of teammates, opponents, and umpires. She is one of the most caring players I’ve coached, always supporting her teammates and consistently going above and beyond to be there for them.
Devon McElmurry - Boys Tenis
Devon is an outstanding student‑athlete who leads by example on and off the court. As our #1 tennis player and team captain, he consistently demonstrates strong leadership and earns his teammates’ respect. He excels academically with the same dedication he brings to his sport. His perseverance shows as he pushes through challenges and works to improve. Devon’s willingness to adapt, learn, and grow makes him an excellent role model for peers.
Tulare Western High School
Evelyn Nunes - Girls Swim
Evelyn consistently demonstrates all the pillars of character. She is someone I can trust with any task and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Positive, kind, and respectful, she is one of the finest student‑athlete I’ve coached. I am truly grateful for all she has contributed to our program and for the incredible person she is.
Garrett Bessinger - Boys Swim
Garrett is a trustworthy leader and a strong example for the swim team. He consistently shows respect for coaches, officials, and teammates. He cares deeply about his team, offering guidance and encouraging others to reach their full potential.