Chicago Bears announce second Community High School All-Star Award winner
The Chicago Bears are proud to announce Eliza McHale, a CPS senior at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago, Ill., as the second recipient of the Community High School All-Star award for the 2023 season.
Eliza is the first girls' flag football player in the program's history to receive this prestigious award and only the second female athlete to be recognized.
The Community High School All-Star award, brought to you by Athletico Physical Therapy, will recognize nine total high school football players from March through May who are making a positive impact in their community and at their school. Each winner will receive a custom hand-painted football, gift bag and an invitation to a future Bears event. The Bears will also make a $500 donation to the charitable organization of the player's choosing.
Eliza has been selected for her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to her teammates and community service. As an active member of Foundations, a youth group that promotes inclusivity and explores the relationship between religion and social justice, Eliza has led service projects in Chicago, service trips to Beattyville, Ky., and directed conversations about social justice. She has also contributed to Su Casa Catholic Worker in Chicago, a house committed to social justice, homelessness, domestic violence and immigration. At Su Casa Catholic Worker, she learned to connect with individuals dealing with social justice issues while doing community service in the inner city of Chicago.
Furthermore, Eliza provides affordable math tutoring services through Tutor Chat to help children excel in school. She also serves as the president of GEMS club (Girls in Engineering Math and Science), where she invites speakers in STEM fields, and coordinates field trips and team-building activities for club members.
In addition to her academic excellence and service, Eliza is an outstanding athlete. She is the starting safety and defensive captain of the girls' flag football team, is the captain of the lacrosse team and a member of the basketball team.
"Eliza embodies what it means to be a leader, does so by example, and goes beyond the call of duty to encourage a competitive spirit amongst her teammates," said Lane Tech girls flag football coach Caroline Schwartz. "As captain of the first Flag Football team at Lane Tech, Eliza helped establish a solid foundational culture of relationship building and dedication to the sport."
About Community High School All-Star Award:
The Chicago Bears are proud to partner with Athletico Physical Therapy to present the Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award that recognizes high school football players who make a positive impact in their community and school. These student-athletes exemplify service, leadership, and character. The Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star is an off-season initiative that encourages players to be involved in community service during offseason, and take the lessons learned through playing the sport of football and use them to benefit their community.
For information, visit ChicagoBears.com/Community/Community-High-School-All-Star.