She’s got hustle, heart—and new award to prove it.
At just 18, Sydney Mednik has already proven that athletes can be powerful changemakers—on and off the field. A proud alumna of Athletes for Hope’s High School Leadership Academy (HSLA), Sydney was recently named a Regional Honoree of ESPN’s Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award for her outstanding work in sports philanthropy.
While balancing school and competitive athletics, Sydney co-founded Pass with Purpose, a nonprofit that collects gently used soccer gear from U.S. clubs and donates it to children worldwide. The organization has donated over 1,000 jerseys, shorts, and hundreds of socks—most recently to youth in Zambia.
As a GameChanger Stay and Play Champion, Sydney also brought her mission to life locally by hosting soccer clinics for underserved youth, combining equipment donations with meaningful community engagement.
As a graduate of AFH’s High School Leadership Academy’s inaugural cohort, Sydney is a shining example of what HSLA is all about: developing the next generation of athlete leaders.
HSLA is a semester-long program for student-athletes in grades 9–12, currently offered in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. HSLA empowers young athletes to explore sports philanthropy, discover causes they care about, and take real action in their communities. Through workshops and service opportunities, participants gain lifelong skills in leadership, teamwork, and giving back.
We’re proud to celebrate Sydney’s accomplishment and honored to be part of her story.
Want to learn more about how Athletes for Hope supports student athletes through the High School Leadership Academy? Click here to explore our programs and get involved.