APRIL 2026 CALHOPE COURAGE AWARD WINNERS
Two California collegiate student-athletes – Destiny Adams, a multi-sport athlete at San Joaquin Delta College, and Rhys Cooper, a football player at Butte College – have been selected as the April 2026 recipients of the CalHOPE Courage Award.
DESTINY ADAMS
San Joaquin Delta College
| Multi-Sport
Over five semesters, Destiny has competed in four sports – water polo, swimming, diving, and women's basketball – for one of the top athletic programs in the state, including a #1-ranked basketball team in Northern California and the program's first-ever 3C2A State Championship.
But her greatest test came in October 2023, when she experienced the sudden loss of her teammate and closest friend, Kayla, in a tragic car accident. The loss brought overwhelming grief, anxiety, and trauma. Rather than withdrawing, the Stockton native chose to confront her pain. She leaned on teammates, coaches, and campus mental health resources, taking proactive steps to process her grief and rebuild.
Through that journey, she discovered strength in vulnerability and purpose in perseverance, continuing to excel athletically while progressing toward her academic goals.
"The support I received through Delta's mental health services truly changed everything for me," Adams said. "They gave me a safe place to process my grief and helped me understand that I didn't have to carry everything on my own. That support allowed me to heal, stay focused, and keep moving forward."
Full Article: https://calhopecourageaward.org/