News: Heritage's Chuck Carlin and Nicole Feaster Honored with ESPN Rise Above Awards

Video interview with Nicol Feaster after she won the Cheers Open
golf tournament in August.

Leesburg (Nov. 8, 2010) - This year's Northern Virginia recipients for the ESPN Rise Above Awards both come from Heritage High School as Chuck Carlin and Nicole Feaster have been honored for overcoming obstacles and/or impacting their communities.

The pair will attend the ESPN Rise Above luncheon on Nov. 15 at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C., where they will be presented with their awards. Prior to the luncheon there will be a Behind the Scenes tour by ESPN followed by a ESPN/NFL Sports panel where executives and personalities will answers questions related to the marketing and businses side of pro sports. A reception for the athletes family and friends will follow the luncheon.

More on how they got chosen:


Chuck Carlin
School: Heritage, Leesburg VA
Class: Senior
Sports: Football and Lacrosse

We are proud to nominate Chuck Carlin for his leadership by example on the field, in the class room, and in the community.

Chuck is a captain on our Varsity Football and Lacrosse Teams. He is also a stellar 4-year varsity lacrosse player. He has been awarded Most Valuable Teammate, All-District, All-Region, and 2010 US Lacrosse Academic All-American honors.

As a student Chuck excels with a 4.13 GPA. He has been nominated for Boys State of Virginia, National Student Leadership Conference, Congressional Student Leadership Conference, and National Young Leaders Conference. He has been awarded Health and Physical Education Outstanding Student, and Heritage Lion’s Awards.

The main reason for the nomination is Chuck Carlin’s work in our local community. Chuck’s love for lacrosse is passed on as he coaches a Western Loudoun Lacrosse U-13 team. He and other teammates stay long after their own practices and coach these kids with energy and compassion. Chuck epitomizes the phrase “give back your love of the game”.

During the winter season, when he is not on a sports team, Chuck is a leader of the “Chaos Crew”. This student led group attends games and organizes coordinated shirts and face painting.

At Heritage High School Chuck is the president of the Varsity Club. This is our service organization made up of athletes who have earned a varsity letter and wish to give back to our local community. This club encourages support of all sports programs as well as the academic and social development of our athletes. His leadership is vital to the success of the Varsity Club. Chuck devotes over 100 hours each year through many activities. Read Across America, Dig Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, and American Cancer Society Relay For Life are national events in which Chuck takes a leadership role.

He volunteers at Heritage athletic events with event management, assisting booster club with concessions, facility set-up, and clean-up. The most rewarding activity is being a “Classroom Buddy”. Chuck is beginning his third year with the same local elementary school teacher to assist with special needs or at-risk children, prepare projects, and assist with class activities. Chuck does this one day a week for the entire school year.

Chuck Carlin does all of these amazing things with a pleasant smile on his face, and always a kind word for everyone he meets. He is surely a shining star for Heritage High School and an inspiration for the youth of our community. Chuck Carlin is everything we expect and hope for in a student-athlete, and he also works part time at a local business.

Nicole Feaster
School: Heritage, Leesburg VA
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Golf
Best 18-hole round: 72 at Algonkian
Home course: River Creek
Years since stingray sting: 3
Foot surgeries since sting: 21
Career plan: Doctor

Read the Loudoun Times-Mirror feature story on Nicole.