On Sunday, April 27th, Brighter Horiozns Academy, hosted its annual athletic banquet, an event commemorating the Academy’s student athlete’s success and achievements throughout the year. It was open to parents, students, family, and the community, with tickets being free for high school athletes, and discounted for middle school athletes. The program included dinner, a guest speaker, an award ceremony for the athletes, and finally, a recognition of coach and athletes of the year.
The banquet took place in the Academy’s gym, which was completely transformed from a gym into a banquet hall designed for the most beautiful of events. With special tables designated or the athletes, a stage, and a buffet-style dinner service, the banquet was truly curated to fit the guest’s expectations. Along with exquisite décor, photo booths were set around the gym showcasing different sports, namely volleyball, basketball, track, and soccer, available for guest photos and admiration.
Firstly, the program began with a recitation of the Quran by Junior Shayan Iqbal. Next. Br. Arbad introduced the guest speaker Husain Abdullah, a former NFL player, who gave an inspiring speech about the connection between sports and Islam. He explained how sports teach discipline, mental and physical strength, and good sportsmanship, all qualities of a good Muslim. He described the ability to apply multiple hadiths to sports, and how sports and physical activity are critical points in our daily lives. Then, a video was played, made by Adam Rashdan, a varsity soccer player, showcasing a summary of all the sports at the Academy during the 2024-2025 school year.
As the evening progressed, a moment was taken to appreciate the efforts of Ms. Sanaa and the workers who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes. From setting up decorations to managing the guest list and directing the flow of the program, their hard work did not go unnoticed. A brief acknowledgement was made by Br. Adeel, followed by a round of applause from the audience. It was a beautiful reminder that while the athletes were the focus of the night, the event’s success was made possible through teamwork and dedication—values that athletes must embody themselves.
Next, dinner was served, featuring a variety of food, such as hummus, rice, kabob, salad, and bread. During dinner, guests had the freedom to enjoy the different set-ups around the gym for photo, and to socialize and meet with friends and family. The atmosphere in the gym was that of community and appreciation of the athletes dedication throughout the year.
Once dinner concluded, the announcement of athletic awards. All athletic teams, including middle school, were invited to come to the stage one by one, as a reminder that no matter what the outcome is, it’s the participation and effort that really matters. The girl’s volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams were announced, as well as the boy’s basketball, soccer, and track. Each team had a dedicated MVP (most valuable player), as well as a most improved player and a TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) recognized player award. The award ceremony was exciting, as athletes were able to celebrate and be appreciated for all the effort they put in throughout the year.
Finally, a few very special people were recognized for all the hard work they put in throughout the year. Firstly, the male and female coach of the year award was announced, to Coach Bruno Guarda, the Varsity boy’s soccer coach, and Coach Kisa Duncan, the Varsity girl’s basketball coach. These coaches were both given a trophy and a small introduction emphasizing the amount of dedication they had for their teams. Next, the male and female Athlete of the Year award was presented, with each athlete giving a speech, recognizing all those that helped them throughout their high school sports journeys. The female athlete of the year was Senior Alainah Ali, playing volleyball and basketball, and the male athlete of the year award was co-presented to Umar Oduru, in basketball, and Ismael Morsy, in soccer. The athletes expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the ones that mattered most, especially Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala. And, to conclude, the Varsity boy’s soccer team presented their coach, Bruno Guardia, with a special gift from them, for all his love and support to the team throughout the year. The event ended with a group prayer of Salat-Al-Maghrib, and families taking pictures at the different picture booths inside the gym.
One of the most meaningful takeaways from the evening was the strong reminder that true success isn’t just measured by wins, but by the dedication and growth shown by each athlete. Coaches and speakers emphasized that every practice, every loss, and every hard-fought win played a role in shaping the character and commitment of these student athletes. It wasn’t about coming first—it was about showing up, working hard, and never giving up. This message resonated throughout the gym, instilling pride and motivation in both athletes and their families. As summarized by Br. Adeel, the athletic director at the Academy, “For me personally, it’s never been about the outcomes, it’s always about the process…it’s about controlling what you can control, and leaving the outcome…you can control your attitude, effort, and showing up, and I think this year, the athletes did these three things, they won the process.”
