The Senior Sports Award Ceremony is a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of student-athletes across all teams.

This year, several seniors were honored as MVPs for their outstanding performance and leadership. Among them were Alessandra Ojeda from the Girls’ Soccer team and Ihsan Ahmed from the Boys’ Tennis team. Both stood out not just for their skills in their sports, but also for the way they balanced athletics with academics and inspired their teammates

Alessandra Ojeda, captain of the Girls’ Soccer team, has been a role model throughout her time at Edison. Along with being named MVP, she also received the Louisa Wingate Underhill Certificate, which recognizes students for leadership, sportsmanship, and academic excellence. She earned the Scholar Athlete Award too, thanks to her amazing GPA and class rank of 6 out of 477 seniors.

“Being captain taught me how to lead by example,” Ojeda said. “It pushed me to always do my best and support my team every step of the way.”

She says her success came from the support around her. “These awards represent personal achievement to me, but I didn’t get here alone. My coaches, teachers, teammates, and friends all played a part in helping me stay motivated and focused.”

What made her experience special was the balance Edison helped her find between sports, academics, and technical classes. “TAEHS gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, explore my passions, and grow in ways I don’t think would’ve happened at another school,” she said.

One of her proudest moments was leading her team to become Queens Division Champions. “That whole season was unforgettable. We worked so hard and finally brought home the title. I’ll always remember that feeling.”

Ihsan Ahmed’s story is about rediscovering something he thought he had left behind. He started playing tennis at just four years old but eventually switched his focus to basketball. That changed when Coach Wang encouraged him to join Edison’s tennis team as a freshman.

“Coach Wang told me there was a team here, and that conversation really brought me back to the sport,” Ahmed said. “I realized how much I missed it.”

Over the next four years, he became a strong leader and earned the role of captain. He helped his team grow closer and built something he’s proud of. “We weren’t just teammates. We became a family. That was one of the best parts of it all.”

He said one of his biggest personal highlights was playing against top players across the city and seeing how far he had come. “I grew so much from those experiences. They helped me become not just a better athlete but a better person.”

Ahmed credits Coach Wang for helping him fall back in love with tennis. “He always believed in me, and I don’t think I would’ve stayed with the sport if it weren’t for his support.”

Even though they both received MVP honors, Alessandra Ojeda and Ihsan Ahmed say the real reward was the journey and the people they met along the way. They’re both proud of the impact they’ve made and the lessons they’ve learned.

“I hope younger athletes at Edison understand that it’s not just about being the best,” Ojeda said. “It’s about working hard, growing, and lifting each other up.”

Ahmed added, “Stick with what you love, even when it gets tough. It’s worth it in the end. You’ll make memories that stay with you long after high school.”

As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, it’s clear that students like Alessandra Ojeda and Ihsan Ahmed are leaving behind more than trophies. They’re leaving a legacy of dedication, teamwork, and heart.