Calel, a senior running back from the Bronx, NY, was born with congenital deafness. In addition to the constant change of his father’s military service, his journey has been shaped by the challenge of adapting to both the hearing and deaf worlds.

As a child, he navigated through public schools and special education programs and eventually enrolled in the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, where he began embracing his identity as a deaf individual and an elite athlete. However, Calel’s transition to college was anything but smooth.

The COVID-19 pandemic eliminated his opportunity for a Division I scholarship offer, which led him to accept a spot on the City College of San Francisco football team. He made an instant impact, returning his first kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. However, during the fifth game of the season, he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery and prematurely ended his season. His play earned him the opportunity to transfer to the University of Redlands Bulldogs within the Division 3 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SCIAC).

In his first two seasons, the 5-foot-9-inch 234-pound tailback played in just 13 games due to a rib fracture and meniscus tear, rushing for 361 yards. This past season, he nearly matched his production for the previous two seasons. Becoming a starter, he played in all 10 games, rushing for 315 yards, good for seventh in the conference, and scoring three touchdowns. As an international studies major, he was recognized as an Academic All-District.

What makes Calel’s story remarkable is not just his perseverance, but his courage to reach out for support and find strength in his faith and community. Isolated at times on a hearing college campus, Calel leaned into his spirituality and support systems, attending Bible study and engaging in one-on-one American Sign Language, tutoring and advocacy work. He made it his mission to build bridges between hearing and deaf communities, encouraging understanding through education and connection.

“It’s important to have the right mindset and take initiative,” said Calel. “Whatever opportunities present themselves, take them. You will go further and get closer to reaching your goals.”

As a graduate student majoring in business law and an outside hitter for the women’s volleyball team, Alexa completed her career as one of the most decorated athletes in program history, despite suffering a profound personal loss.

On May 12, 2024, Alexa lost her mother, Cathy Lumb-Edwards—a former Pacific volleyball standout and NCAA championship-winning coach—after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

As she stepped into her final season, bearing the weight of her grief and the legacy of a legend, Alexa played in memory of her mother. Alexa led the West Coast Conference (WCC) in kills, became both Pacific’s and the WCC’s all-time rally-scoring era kills leader, and earned 2024 WCC Player of the Year honors. Beyond the accolades, her journey was marked by quiet bravery and emotional endurance.

Navigating the mental toll of such a personal loss while continuing to lead her team required Alexa to lean deeply into her support system—teammates, coaches, and friends who became her second family. She learned to honor her pain without letting it define her, turning moments of heartbreak into fuel on the court. Her mother’s words—passion and purpose—became daily mantras, guiding her play and her path forward.

Alexa’s story is a testament to the transformative power of mental resilience. In honoring her mother’s legacy, she became a symbol of hope and strength—not just for her team, but for any student-athlete facing grief, loss, or adversity. Through vulnerability, courage, and community, Alexa has shown that healing and greatness can coexist, and that mental wellness is a journey worth fighting for.

“I miss my mom every day, but at the same time, I just step on the court trying to honor her in the best way I can. She was big on two things I carry with me when I play—passion and purpose,” Edwards said.

Henry Wilson’s journey at Chapman University is a testament to the power of self-discovery and the courage to seek help. After struggling academically during his freshman year (2023-24), Henry was diagnosed with ADHD—a revelation that not only reshaped his approach to academics and athletics, but his overall well-being.

Henry was a good student throughout high school, always managing to stay on track despite struggling with deadlines, thanks to flexible teachers who helped him along the way. However, the transition to college brought new challenges. The combination of a rigorous academic workload and the demands of competing as a student-athlete proved overwhelming. Unable to pass enough units to remain academically eligible, Henry was forced to sit out his freshman season.

Determined to turn things around, Henry sought help after the spring semester. Following consultations with medical professionals, he was diagnosed with ADHD, a turning point that gave him the clarity and tools to better manage his academic and athletic responsibilities. With the support of his family, Henry began ADHD coaching—weekly sessions with a counselor focused on strategies to work with his diagnosis rather than against it. The results were immediate. In the fall of his sophomore year, he earned a 4.0 GPA and successfully petitioned for reinstatement, rejoining the diving team the following spring.

Now thriving in both the classroom and his sport, Henry advocates seeking help and removing the stigma around mental health challenges. His willingness to share his story is as inspiring as his achievements.

“For years, I struggled in silence, thinking I just wasn’t trying hard enough. Getting diagnosed with ADHD didn’t change who I was, but it gave me the tools I needed to succeed,” said Henry. “Knowing what I’m up against has made me healthier, both mentally and physically. Asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s the reason why I’m where I am today.”

Kate’s path has been nothing short of extraordinary. After the devastating loss of her father during her freshman year, she faced the difficult decision of taking a step away from school and the sport that she loves. Now, she is back in the pool as a top performer for the Matadors and will be graduating in the spring with a degree in public health. She hopes to become a nurse.

Kate’s father battled cancer for more than a year before passing away in March 2022, Kate’s freshman year at CSUN. During this extremely strenuous time, she made countless trips from campus to San Diego—more than 100 miles each way—balancing school, water polo, and the need to be by her father’s side. After taking a week off after his passing, she returned to the pool for the Matadors and continued to be a prominent member of the team for the remainder of the season. A month later, Kate was faced with the daunting decision of taking a step away from school to be with her family.

After processing her father’s passing, she sought help from her counseling center, friends, and, most importantly, her family. Over the past four seasons, she played 63 games contributing to CSUN’s success as a nationally ranked program. She also excelled academically, earning Big West All-Academic honors and completing her public health degree in three and a half years. Kate attributes part of her healing to the support she received from the CSUN counseling service, where she met with a counselor once a week for the duration of her sophomore year. This gave her the tools she needed to continue healing on her own.

“I learned to prioritize my mental health which helped me regain my strength during this difficult period of my life,” said Kate.