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The Orange Bowl Committee recently announced that Angelica Deribeaux, a student-athlete from Palmer Trinity School, is the sixth recipient of the Orange Bowl Beigel-Feis-Hixon Valor Award.
Deribeaux’s older sister, Madison, suffers from multiple disabilities, and Angelica has taken an essential role in caring for her and supporting her family while exceling in the classroom and on the playing field, balancing the demand of competing in his school’s soccer, lacrosse and cheer programs.
The annual Orange Bowl Beigel-Feis-Hixon Valor Award honors Marjory Stoneman Douglas coaches Scott Beigel (cross-country coach and geography teacher), Aaron Feis (assistant football coach and security guard) and Chris Hixon (wrestling coach and athletic director) who lost their lives protecting their colleagues and students in the senseless tragedy that occurred on Feb. 14, 2018, at the Parkland school. The award is designed to salute an outstanding South Florida student-athlete who exhibits valor and courage in the face of adversity and consists of a $10,000 scholarship.
“The Orange Bowl Committee is extremely proud to announce Angelica Deribeaux as this year’s Orange Bowl Beigel-Feis-Hixon Valor Award recipient,” said Yvonne Johnson-Phillips,
Orange Bowl Committee president and chair. “The courage she shows on a daily basis to care for her sister and be there for her family, while being a role model in the classroom and in athletics, is truly remarkable and speaks to how well deserving she is for this award and scholarship.”
Angelica’s older sister suffers from a multitude of disabilities and immune system issues, including Ataxia, which affects coordination, balance and speech, and Dravet syndrome, a developmental and epileptic disease that begins in infancy and significantly impacts individuals throughout their lifetime.
Angelica has not only taken a leadership role at home, helping to care for her sister daily and supporting her family by administering medicine and aiding in routine activities, but she was named captain of her school’s varsity soccer team and was selected to the Miami Herald All-County team in soccer and lacrosse.
In the classroom, she has maintained a perfect 4.0, served on the student government executive board all four years and started her own club, called Women on Wall Street, advocating for women in leadership roles in business.
She also participates in multiple community service initiatives including tutoring underserved children in the community and fundraising for an epilepsy foundation, on top of all of her work with her sister and family.
“Angelica has formed a unique bond with Madison and the love they share is indescribable,” said her school’s guidance counselor. “Despite Angelica’s busy schedule, Angelica’s first priority is the safety, wellbeing, and happiness of Madison. Despite everything she has faced, she is always smiling and always optimistic.”
Angelica will be attending Duke University this fall and will be recognized during the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium.
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