FRISCO, Texas — Thirty-two standout student-athletes and coaches from across North Texas will be honored June 30 when Frisco hosts the 2026 North Texas Positive Athlete Awards Experience, celebrating character and leadership in youth sports.
The awards program, run by the national organization Positive Athlete, selected winners from more than 1,000 nominations submitted by coaches, principals, athletic directors, teachers, parents, and community members. The honorees represent 307 public and private high schools across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and competed in 37 different sports.
Among this year's winners are two representatives from Frisco Emerson High School: student-athlete John Pacheco, recognized for his contributions in soccer and football, and Coach Aaron Wessner, honored for his leadership of the soccer program. Both were selected for embodying the organization's core values — optimism, teamwork, encouragement, respect, accountability, heart for others, and service.
"These student-athletes and coaches represent what youth sports are truly about," said Jeremy Lukas of Positive Athlete. "Their stories go far beyond wins and statistics. They are leaders, encouragers, servant-hearted teammates, and examples of positivity for their schools, families, and communities."
Since its founding by sports industry veteran Scott Pederson, Positive Athlete has awarded over $700,000 in scholarships nationally. Scholarship recipients for the 2025-26 class will be announced during the June 30 ceremony in Frisco. Other North Texas winners span communities from Duncanville and Southlake to Mesquite and Denton, covering sports ranging from football and basketball to figure skating, archery, and powerlifting.
