When Ricardo Magana, a senior at Invictus Academy of Richmond, was called to the front office, he didn’t know what to expect. The 4.0 student focuses in class and doesn’t get into trouble.
He walked into the office unsure; the feeling of being called out was very unfamiliar. But to his complete surprise, his principal told him that the Golden State Warriors were awarding him a $5,000 Bay Area All-Star Scholarship (BAASST) for his success in and out of the classroom.
“I thought a little bit that something was going on when they sent me to the office, because I never go, and when I came back and opened the door I was just shocked,” Magana told Richmondside.
When he returned to class, his family, classmates, educators and Warriors representatives were waiting to surprise him with a jersey customized with his last name and a video from Warriors Coach Steve Kerr and player Draymond Green, who congratulated him and wished him good luck in college. He was presented with a big symbolic $5,000 check and a Warriors swag bag with items including a hat, a Jimmy Butler bobblehead and a deck of cards. His classmates got rally towels.
The scholarship wasn’t on his radar because students don’t apply directly. Recommendation letters are sent by counselors and supporting educators.
Magana’s college counselor Jacklin Sandoval initially recommended him. His math teacher, Jeff Grossman helped fill out the application. The celebration took place in Sandoval’s class.
In the letter submitted to the Warriors, Sandoval sang his praises, noting that Magana is only one of six students enrolled in AP calculus this year, “a distinction that speaks volumes about his intellectual ability and commitment to academic rigor.”
Magana is also taking college-level statistics at Contra Costa College.
“Balancing high school coursework with college classes requires remarkable discipline, time management, and maturity, all of which he demonstrates consistently,” Sandoval wrote in the nomination. “What sets Ricardo apart is his quiet perseverance. He does not seek attention or praise, yet his integrity, dedication, and compassion make him a natural leader. He fully embodies the promise and potential that scholarships like yours are designed to support.”
The scholarship is a collaboration between six Bay Area sports teams — the Golden State Warriors, Golden State Valkyries, Bay FC, San Francisco Giants, San Jose Earthquakes and San Jose Sharks — to help local high school seniors pursue higher education. Each team selects one student from its assigned county. This year the Warriors received 18 nominations from 10 different schools, Warriors officials told Richmondside. Only six students from nine bay area counties received scholarships.
Part of the scholarship package a chance to attend all six sport team’s home games and be recognized. On April 5, Magana got to go to the game he was most excited for: The Warriors vs. the Houston Rockets at the Chase Center.
At about 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday, Magana put on his custom jersey and made his way from his home in the Iron Triangle to the San Francisco arena — his first time attending a Warriors game in person.
Before tipoff, he and the five other scholarship awardees stood at the half-court line in front of thousands of fans. Magana brought his cousin, who had also never been to a game, to sit courtside and watch players warm up.
“This was pretty amazing because I don’t think I will have another opportunity to experience this,” Magana said, walking off the court, just inches away from players such as Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. “I’m feeling very excited. This is a one-time experience and I am just grateful to be here.”
Student’s dedication to work outside of school impressed the Warriors
Magana is an outstanding student academically, but what set him apart was his work with his father in construction, said Yoyo Murphy, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Affairs for the Warriors
“Ricardo is just a super impressive young person who has not only focused his energy on his work within his school, but there was also a lot of focus around how he’s supporting his father’s work outside of school,” Murphy told Richmondside. “It was really inspiring to hear that there was a motivation and commitment to pursue other aspects of his life and his career.”
Murphy described Magana as a dedicated and inspirational student “with a great story.” She said the BAASST scholarship intentionally looks for students who are well-rounded.
“(Applications) go through quite a bit of eyeballs and there is a whole lot that we consider,” Murphy said before Magana was honored at the game. “We want to make sure these young people are pursuing other educational opportunities, but really looking at them as in a holistic way— how they’re supporting their communities? How they’re pursuing opportunities outside of school itself, and really looking at all of that collectively.”
Magana started working at East Bay Drywall in San Pablo over the summer. Though he was eager to work a lot and make money, Magana said his dad restricted his hours because he did not want him losing sight of his studies.
But the three-month stint had a lasting impact. The senior is planning to study construction management at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He hopes to eventually land a senior project manager position after graduating and own his own company.
“(My dad) showed me a bigger picture of aiming high and achieving,” Magana told Richmondside. “I could see all the people working around me and how they are stuck in the same position for the rest of their life. So it made me realize that I need to seek a position that is higher and that will benefit me more.”
Magana said the scholarship came at the perfect time. He has applied for at least 10 scholarships to help him with college tuition. The only other scholarship he’s received is from Cal Poly SLO.
“For the past weeks, I was complaining how I couldn’t get any scholarships,” Magana said. “So when I won (the All-Star award), I was very surprised. Never expected it.”
Magana said he is grateful for his counselor’s support and credits her with helping him clarify his next steps. Magana also shouted out his family.
“They always believe in me and support me,” Magana said.
Magana is a humble and soft-spoken student. But in the few words he shared, gratitude was among the most present.
The senior added that being one of six students across the bay to be recognized is especially meaningful because students in Richmond don’t often feel like there are many opportunities for them. However, in the last seven years, four of the BAASST recipients were from Richmond, according to data shared by Warriors officials.
“Growing up in Richmond, you only have certain opportunities, and I feel like this is a good one that came out of that,” Magana said. “I hope (younger Richmond students) … see that it’s possible to win a scholarship, even when you think you won’t win one, you will.”
