Helix Highlights: Alumni all-stars of Helix High

By Jennifer Osborn

Helix alumni find ways of making us proud in so many different areas. This past month was no exception.

NFL alumni

alumniweb — (l to r) Helix alumni and former NFL players Bruce Walton, Donnie Van Hook, Jim Arnaiz and Leon White. (Courtesy of Helix Charter High School)

In celebration of Super Bowl 50, the NFL awarded golden footballs to high schools and their coaches that have had players appear in Super Bowls. Helix was fortunate to receive four golden footballs, honoring Bruce Walton, Leon White, Alex Smith and Reggie Bush. In a ceremony at the school, Walton and White spoke to students about their time at Helix and in the NFL, while Smith and Bush sent video messages.

bushballweb — A gold football for Helix Alumni Reggie Bush. (Courtesy of Helix Charter High School)

The footballs are prominently displayed in the trophy case in the gym lobby, which has been beautifully renovated by the Helix Alumni Association, under the direction of Candy Greene.

Defying stereotypes

Alumnus Nate Howard was named to NBC’s “NBCBLK28” list. The list honors 28 of the nation’s most talented black innovators and game changers — all aged 28 years and younger. According to the NBCBLK28 website, they were selected “because they are all industry and community leaders who are constantly striving to break barriers and defy stereotypes, redefining what it means to be Black in America today.”

Howard hosted an event at Space Bar in La Mesa featuring members of “Movement BE” reading their poetry. “The Today Show” was there to cover the event as part of the NBCBLK28 celebration.

Recognized for service

Alumnus Nitya Timalsina, UC San Diego graduate and president and founder of One Step Projects, a nonprofit dedicated to improving living conditions locally and worldwide, was recognized as The San Diego Foundation’s 25 and Under! Future of Service award. Timalsina did tremendous work in Nepal helping earthquake victims last year and recently was featured on “KUSI News” as part of the award.

Alumni softball game

The Helix Softball team will host an Alumni Game on Friday, March 4. The Varsity team will take on alumni players. The game will start at 6 p.m.; players are to arrive at 5 p.m. For more information, contact [email protected] (this event is in fulfillment of Helix’s Senior Project requirement).

Thank you donors

Helix has been the beneficiary of very generous donors through the website donorschoose.org. In the 2015-16 school year, donors have contributed more than $86,000 toward 132 various projects proposed by teachers. Projects funded include a field trip for the entire freshman class, Chromebook computers, graphing calculators, equipment for dissections, a trip to Disneyland for students with moderate to severe physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and much, much more. To support other Helix projects, visit the Donors Choose website, and search “Helix Charter High School”.

–Jennifer Osborn writes on behalf of Helix Charter High School. Reach her at [email protected].