California

State Farm Supports the Athlete of the Year

Juan Avena has been attending the MLB Urban Youth Academy (UYA) for the past five years, however; this year is different. In August, Juan was honored for his selection as the 2011 Athlete of the Year from the UYA. In baseball fashion, Juan threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers home game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Congratulations to Juan Avena,” said Ed Reyes, State Farm Vice President – Agency. “We are proud to support the Urban Youth Academy and their talented student athletes. State Farm is committed to the development of our youth because our future depends on it.”

The UYA is a youth baseball academy located in Compton, California providing free baseball and softball instruction to youth ages 8 – 17. The Academy operates on a year-round basis under the leadership of Darrell Miller, a former member of the California Angels.

Juan was selected for improving his high school GPA and for his outstanding baseball playing ability. He has overcome tremendous obstacles growing up and this achievement is great evidence of his hard work and determination. In 2009, Juan was shot four times in a car-to-car assault. Then in March this year, his sister Marivel lost her life to lupus at age 23. The Long Beach Press-Telegram covered Juan’s story earlier this year.

This honor is a great milestone for him. Additionally, Juan was recently awarded a scholarship to attend Central Arizona Junior College this fall.   

Jimmie Lee Solomon, Executive Vice President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball, said “I’m very happy to congratulate Juan on this well-deserved recognition. Juan has taken full advantage of this and is a terrific example of the type of success available to these young men and women. He has a bright future ahead of him, and his family should be very proud of this extraordinary young man.”