Jesse Ortiz came to Centennial High School as a freshman with many of the same fears as most students entering high school. That, along with the fact that his family had just recently moved to Arizona made the prospect of high school even more daunting. A new school, new home, new friends to meet, new teachers oh yes, and Jesse has autism. With so many new challenges to face it was a surprise when he went home during his first week of school and announced that he wanted to join the football team! He had never even participated in any team sports yet he wanted to join football. His parents were not even remotely aware of the tremendous commitment that it would take for him to work his way through the ranks of freshman, jv, and ultimately varsity football. But he did it. He set his sights on being a kicker and eventually earned the position of starting kicker for the Centennial Coyotes (Arizona State Champions 2006-07-08 and currently ranked #4 in the country). All by itself his story is incredibly inspirational. When Jesse was first diagnosed around age three, he was non-verbal, lacked interpersonal skills and was in specialized self-contained classes in a therapeutic school. He was given a prognosis that he would probably end up living in a group home. So, inspirational turns to miraculous!

Throughout his school career Jesse worked hard but it was when he reached high school that changes really started. Football was important to him. It was a vital part of his social growth. It was a means of social acceptance with a readymade group of peers. Guided by an amazing coaching staff, the football team is where Jesse is one of the guys. And he truly is just that.

Back when Jesse was a freshman, he knew he wasnt the best athlete on the team. There were times when he thought he wouldnt make it. Most of the other players had been playing football for years, so naturally, there were physically fit. Yet he understood that he would have to work hard if he wanted a shot as starting kicker. And work hard he did; he has practiced nearly six days a week, on and off season, since freshman year. He overcame a huge hurdle as he became physically and mentally fit for the demands that varsity football can have. He takes his role as kicker seriously and is dedicated to his coaches and teammates.

Off the field Jesse is often the first one to volunteer for community service opportunities. He was a volunteer coach with the Special Olympics Flag Football Team 2008. They eventually won the State Championship title! He has worked with young children at Christ Church of the Valley, Hope Kids (an organization that provides services to terminally ill children) and the Special Olympics Softball Tournament. Those opportunities came to him through the Coyote Football program! Jesse is also a volunteer with the Travis LaBoy Sack Autism Foundation and has participated in fundraising events for SARRC (Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center) in Phoenix, AZ. He even started his own website www.jesseortiz.org that he hopes will give inspiration to families living with autism.

This young man truly is an inspiration to families living with autism. He epitomizes “The Four Cs”: Character, Courage, Contribution and Commitment. He is a great student with good grades who has aspirations of attending a university, pursing a degree in special education or adaptive physical education, and maybe, just maybe, playing college football! It is with tremendous pride that we nominate him for this award.

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• JesseOrtiz.org
• Centennial Double Up
• Kicker Jesse Ortiz inspires the Nation