If Anusha Kumar had a bad day at Central Valley High School, she did a great job of hiding her frustration from friends, teammates, classmates, teachers and administrators.
“She always had a smile on her face,” Principal Carol Lubinsky said. “She brought life to this campus. She tries to make the world a better place for everybody. We’re going to miss her.”
Kumar was named Central Valley’s Most Inspirational Female Hawk Award winner for the 2019-20 academic year.
“It was a campus-wide decision,” Activities Director Jon Merchant said.
Kumar couldn’t be reached for comment due to her busy schedule.
The former CV multi-sport athlete joined the United States Marines Corps and is currently completing her basic training at Paris Island in South Carolina.
"She tries her hardest to make sure other people are happy. She’s always been that way. She learned that from our mom.”Yoshi Kumar
“I’m really proud of her,” said Yoshi Kumar, Anusha’s younger brother and a junior at Central Valley. “It makes sense she won the award. She tries her hardest to make sure other people are happy. She’s always been that way. She learned that from our mom.”
“It’s fitting,” Hawks’ Athletic Director Greg Magni said. “All-round, she’s just a great person. She lights up a room when she walks in. She brings energy, passion and happiness to all that she does.”
Kumar had her final season of track and field cut short this past spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She placed third in the 100 hurdles at the 2019 Central California Conference Championships.
She advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III competition.
Kumar earned second-team all-CCC honors for her outstanding play on defense with Central Valley’s girls soccer team this past winter. The Hawks struggled to a fifth-place finish in the conference standings (2-7-3).
“She always tried her best for the team,” Hawk teammate Citlaly Salinas said. “She never complained.”
Kumar played four seasons of volleyball at Central Valley, including two at the varsity level.
The Hawks placed last in the CCC (0-12) last fall.
“I’m 100 percent not surprised at all that she got it,” head coach Regina Selfridge said while talking about Kumar’s recognition. “Her attitude is amazing. She’s incredibly kind. She’s a go-getter, highly-driven and pushes everyone to be a better human. She’s super fun to be around.”