San Gabriel Elementary Students Represent GISD at the Junior Olympics
Pictured: Fourth Grade Students Brody Medina, Kian Abdul-Aziz, Cameron McCauley and Adan Hernandez
This summer, four students from San Gabriel Elementary took on the largest multi-sport event for youth in the nation. Fourth grade students Kian Abdul-Aziz, Adan Hernandez, Cameron “CJ” McCauley and Brody Medina competed at the AAU Junior Olympics with their flag football team, Browns Select, after securing major wins at the district, regional and state level.
Before heading to Des Moines, Iowa for the national event, the students took a moment to reflect on their journey to the Junior Olympics and the mindset, values and community that helped get them there.
“We’re always pushing hard for success and working together to support each other as a team,” McCauley said.
“It’s like in school when you do a group project, it’s important that you can work well with your classmates and help others out,” Hernandez added.
The students’ team values and work ethic extend beyond athletics, stemming from a strong culture built at their school. Lessons learned from their campus leaders and teachers have helped shape the way they approach competition.
“At San Gabriel, our teachers show us how to work hard, and it helps us work hard in sports, too,” Abdul-Aziz said.
This sentiment is echoed by the students’ families, who see firsthand their progress and determination out on the field.
“Their school has created an environment where the boys are encouraged to work hard, challenge themselves, support their classmates and strive for excellence,” Hernandez’s father Adan said. “Those same qualities - perseverance, confidence, teamwork and a willingness to keep learning - were exactly what they needed when they stepped onto a national stage.”
The students got to put those lessons into practice on some of the biggest stages they have experienced. Their journey to the Junior Olympics took them to college and professional stadiums around the country, including the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium and Drake University in Iowa.
“I never thought we would end up playing in a professional stadium, competing against the best of the best across the country,” Medina said. “But we worked hard, and here we are.”
Beyond the excitement of these big-stage games, this experience has solidified a bond that will carry the students forward. Their families see them continuing to grow together through middle school and high school athletics in Georgetown ISD, building on the foundation they have established at San Gabriel.
“It means a lot to know that we are representing our city and school,” McCauley said. “I can’t wait to see what we can do together in the future.”
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Adan and Kian also competed in track and field at the Junior Olympics. With Kian in the shotput and Adan in the 800 meters, qualifying for the national competition was a massive feat for the two first-time track & field athletes.
