Bistagne Family Scholarship
Jackson Lyons, Baseball
Jackson Lyons came to Glendale following a standout career at Granada Hills Charter
where he played third base. He made the transition to shortstop in the Fall of 2024;
going on to anchor the Vaquero defense during our back-to-back conference championship
runs in 2025 and 2026. The program's conference record with Jackson at shortstop
was 38-4. As a key post season performer, he tallied 12 career starts with his biggest
coming in an elimination game against El Camino in the Cerritos Super Regional. In
that game, Jackson went 3-5 with a signature 2-run homer that helped Glendale advance
to the SoCal Regional Finals.
In his time at GCC, Jackson personified the grind that our baseball program has become
known for. He leaves as one of the highest regarded middle infield prospects in California
and has accepted an athletic scholarship to Grambling University.
Jackson has the following to say about his experience at Glendale Community College:
My experience at Glendale has been truly beneficial and has helped me grow both as
a player and as a person. It gave me the opportunity to better understand myself while
building my character on and off the field through challenges, discipline, and perseverance.
Coming into my freshman year, things were not easy. For the entire first semester
and half of the second, I relied on taking the train and a bus every day just to make
it to school and practice. That experience taught me resilience, accountability, and
the value of hard work. Looking back, I'm grateful for everything Glendale has taught
me because it helped shape the person I am today and prepared me for the next chapter
of my journey.
His baseball coach says the team "will miss his leadership and competitive spirit."
Reinhard Family Scholarship
Azusena Lopez, Softball
Azusena Lopez is a standout student-athlete and proud Glendale Community College Vaquero
whose time at GCC has been defined by resilience, leadership, and determination. A
member of the Vaqueros softball team, she excelled as a center fielder while also
contributing at first base and shortstop whenever her team needed her. After overcoming
a season-ending injury during her freshman year, Azusena returned to earn First Team
All-Western State South Division honors and was one of only six student-athletes in
California nominated for JC All-American Outfielder.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Azusena credits GCC with helping her develop
the discipline, perseverance, and leadership skills that have shaped her both on and
off the field. One of her most memorable experiences came during her sophomore season,
when the team navigated the unexpected loss of its head coach. Through the guidance
of Coach Molly and the unwavering support of her teammates, Azusena learned the importance
of adaptability, resilience, and working together through adversity.
Azusena also benefited from the many resources available at GCC, including the Center
for Academic Success for Student-Athletes (CASA), where she balanced the demands of
academics and athletics, and the college's athletic training staff, whose support
was instrumental in her recovery from injury and successful return to competition.
As she prepares to transfer to a four-year university, Azusena plans to continue both
her academic and athletic career while pursuing her long-term goal of a career in
law enforcement. She is deeply grateful for the coaches, faculty, counselors, staff,
and teammates who supported her throughout her journey and is proud to represent Glendale
Community College as a Vaquero.
Trueblood Family Scholarship
Ava Costley and Ella Costley, Basketball
Ava and Ella are international students from New Zealand who arrived at Glendale Community
College in Fall 2024 to pursue their academic goals while competing for the Vaqueros
women's
basketball team. Drawn by the opportunity to combine collegiate athletics with an
overseas educational experience, they quickly became valued members of the GCC community
both on and off the court.
During their two years at GCC, Ava earned an Associate in Arts for Transfer degree
in Kinesiology and an Associate of Science degree in Health Science, while Ella earned
an Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences. As dedicated
student-athletes, they balanced the rigorous demands of practices, games, travel,
and academics while maintaining a strong commitment to their education.
Beyond basketball, Ava and Ella served as student workers in GCC's Athletic Department,
supporting numerous athletic programs including soccer, football, volleyball, baseball,
and basketball. Their responsibilities included preparing facilities and equipment
for competitions, operating scoreboards and game clocks, assisting with event operations,
managing team equipment and laundry, contributing content to the athletics website,
and helping wherever needed to ensure the success of the department.
Looking back, Ava and Ella describe their time at GCC as one of the best decisions
they have ever made. What began as an opportunity to study and compete abroad became
a life-changing experience filled with personal growth, lasting friendships, and unforgettable
memories. They are deeply grateful to their teammates, coaches, faculty, staff, and
the entire athletic department for creating a welcoming environment that truly became
their second home and family.
