The Chicago Bears announced today that Anthony Kuceba of Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois has been named the fourth Community High School All-Star award winner of the season. From March through May, the Community High School All-Star award, brought to you by Athletico Physical Therapy, will recognize nine high school football players making a positive impact in their community and school. Each winner will receive a custom hand-painted football, gift bag, and invitation to a future Bears event. The Bears will also make a $500 donation to the charitable organization of the player’s choosing; Kuceba has selected Special Olympics Illinois-Region C.
Congratulations to this week's Community High School All-Stars recipient, Anthony Kuceba of @MarmionFB.
— Chicago Bears (@BearsOutreach) March 31, 2022
Kuceba donates a lot of his time to various community organizations and has selected @SO_Illinois to receive a donation from the @ChicagoBears. pic.twitter.com/LBbCYZWjr5
“I am truly honored to receive the Chicago Bears Community All-Star award,” said Kuceba. “It has been my greatest pleasure to serve the wonderful community around me. I thank God for providing me with the faith and courage necessary to be the best version of myself on and off the field. To my family and the Marmion Community, thank you for supporting and encouraging me along the way. Thank you to Coach Thorpe for nominating me for this prestigious award and teaching me valuable life lessons that extend much further than the football field. I have enjoyed giving back to a community that has given so much to me and hope that I was able to inspire the younger Cadets during my four years at Marmion Academy to make a difference and lead a life of service. It has given me great pride to be able to work with a charity as amazing as the Special Olympics, which gives some of the most inspiring athletes in the area a chance to compete and display their talents. Finally, thank you to the Chicago Bears for recognizing me and my fellow nominees for our leadership, service and dedication to our schools and community.”
Kuceba, a senior, is a three-year defensive back and was named to the Kane County Chronicle All-Area honorable mention team in 2021. Outside of football, he has been involved in more than 210 hours of community service, sharing his time between Crayons for Kids, outreach ministry, JROTC, youth football camps and Special Olympics. Kuceba was also a Kairos leader for his campus ministry, student council vice president and leader of the school’s pep club. Not only is he a leader in his community and school, but he holds a 4.55 GPA, took 13 honor classes, five AP classes and three dual-credit college courses in his four years of high school. Lastly, Kuceba ranked in the top 10 percent of his graduating class and was named an Illinois State Scholar.
“Thank you, Chicago Bears, for providing this award to all high school teams that have great players, and who also are so GIVING to their team, school, and community,” said coach Daniel Thorpe. “Anthony has always been the perfect teammate, not only to Marmion but the Special Olympics and all the volunteering he does. With his energy, zest for life, and positive comments and actions he energizes and impacts so many others. He truly is an inspiration to his school, teammates, and our faculty and staff.”
The above story is from the Chicago Bears
2021 Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award Winners
Week 3 – Mason Morris, Nokomis HS
Week 2 – Will Seibert and Dylan Christopherson, Jacobs HS
Week 1 – Miguel Hernandez, Mundelein HS
