Chicago Bears name two Harry D. Jacobs High School students as the second Community High School All-Star Award winners

ALGONQUIN — The Chicago Bears recently announced that H.D. Jacobs High School students Will Seibert and Dylan Christopherson have jointly been named the second Community High School All-Star award winners of the season.

According to a news release statement, the Community High School All-Star award, sponsored by Athletico Physical Therapy, recognizes nine high school football players from March through May who are making a positive impact in their community and school.

Each winner receives a custom hand-painted football, gift bag, and invitation to a future Bears event. The Bears will also make a $500 donation to the charitable organization of the player’s choosing.

Seibert and Christopherson selected the non-profit organization Athletes 4 Athletes.

The two junior high school students co-founded the organization Athletes 4 Athletes, which is dedicated to supplying young athletes with the necessary equipment to experience and succeed in youth sports.

The non-profit’s website states that its mission is to “eliminate financial restrictions in youth athletics by supplying those in need with the proper equipment to succeed,” regardless of financial situation.

“I am just beyond excited and humbled to receive this award,” said Seibert. “I wasn’t expecting any sort of recognition when co-founding Athletes 4 Athletes with my buddies, but now, I’m just looking forward to what the donation and award will do for so many kids’ lives. I’m so grateful to the Bears for creating this award, and to Coach Z for nominating Dylan and me for it.”

Both Seibert and Christopherson play for Jacobs’ varsity football program and are on the Honor Roll for their excellent academic record.

“When I first decided to co-found Athletes 4 Athletes with my friends, I didn’t do it with the intention of any recognition,” said Christopherson. “It was simply to give back to my community. You could imagine my surprise when I found out that I received this award. I’m so incredibly grateful for this honor and would like to thank the Bears for recognizing us. I can’t wait to see how much farther Athletes 4 Athletes grows in the future.”

Seibert is currently the president of the student-athlete association, while Christopherson is part of a youth leadership group in which they help guide freshmen throughout their first school year.

Through their leadership, they continue to make a positive impact, both in their school and community.

“We are extremely proud of Dylan and Will,” said Jacobs’ football Coach Brian Zimmerman. “This award is a reflection of the types of student-athletes that are a part of our Jacobs Football Program. They are two of the most selfless individuals I know and are not the kind of kids who are looking to get recognition, but more about how they can help in the community.”

Although not recognized as Community High School All-Star Award winners, H.D. Jacobs High School student Anay Patel, who plays baseball for the school, and three-sport athlete Porter Leith, a student at Dundee Crown High School, also helped co-found the organization and serve integral roles not only within Athletes 4 Athletes but in their communities as well as at their schools.

Zimmerman continued, “I felt they were deserving to be nominated and our staff and administration are thrilled that they were chosen as Week 2 winners. To say they were surprised when they won would be an understatement. They are excited to continue to grow their non-for-profit Athletes 4 Athletes as they continue to make a difference in our community.”