Each year, Irvine Valley athletics selects one female and male student athlete from each member college to the Nevco Character Champion Team. The award winners for Irvine Valley are freshman women's tennis player Soleil Zsibrita and freshman men's basketball player Aaron Strings.
This award is given to the student-athletes who displays the following values; sportsmanship, respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility shown through a specific action, ideally directed toward an opponent during competition.
The criteria also includes the action of putting the team and teammates before oneself while acting as a positive role model. The inaugural award was given out following the 2009-10 academic year.
Zsibrita was also named the overall female winner for the Orange Empire Conference last month.
Zsibrita, a captain of IVC's women's tennis team, has been a leader on and off the court during these challenging times.
On the court, she was a leader on the undefeated 2020 campaign prior to the season's shutdown. She was a member of the top doubles team while holding own the number two position in singles. and was named the IVC Athlete of the Week.
"I recently became the team captain of the women's tennis team," said Zsibrita. "I've been trying to make sure our team is ready to compete, checking up on everyone's morale and mental health."
Academically, she is at the top of her game. She has been recognized as an IVC Scholar-Athlete while maintaining a 3.9 GPA in 68 units. In addition, she is Summa Cum Laude while earning her Associate of Science for transfer. She is working to earn an AA in Business Administration at the conclusion of the 2021 Spring semester.
"I have tried being more of a role model this year, whether it's in practice or just making a greater effort than last year to be inclusive and work on team bonding."
Strings has been a mainstay for Irvine Valley's men's basketball team for the last two years. IVC didn't have a season in 2020-21 because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
But he was still there for his teammates, as well as others.
"I value sportsmanship because it is very important to be a team player," Strings said. "I always help teammates and opposing players up when they fall down and play a clean and fair game.
"Whether we win or lose the most important thing is the health and safety of all players on the court."
Strings also helps in his community. The former Warren High of Downey standout helps those in his community whenever he can.
"I volunteer as a youth Sunday school teacher's assistant for high school age students attending my church," he said. "Mentoring teens as they navigate peer pressure, face academic challenges, search for their inner voices, and work toward receiving their diplomas has impacted my overall character.
"I strive to lead by example because actions always speak louder than words. Mentoring is a community service activity that has helped me to become a better "me". I have learned that our actions have great impact both on and off the court.
On the court during the 2019-20 season, Strings helped IVC to an impressive year. The Lasers finish with a record of 17-13 overall, make the playoffs and reach the second round. IVC upset Chaffey on the road, 67-64, and then nearly did the same in the second round at Santa Monica before losing a tough game, 53-46.
Strings ended up starting 22 games for IVC, including the final 21 contests of that season. He had a season-best 17 points in Irvine Valley's 63-62 conference win over Santa Ana.
But Strings has bigger goals than just basketball.
"As I reflect upon my career aspirations, it is my hope to have a job that I can enjoy and I can use to help others," he said. "Sports have been a passion since elementary school. Athletics has provided a means of communication in the form of camaraderie, teamwork, and integrity through which I have maintained my social, emotional, physical, and mental wellness - something I did not realize until we were forced to stop those activities in 2020, and now fully embrace.
"My ideal job is one that can combine both my interest in Communications and my enjoyment of sports. It is my goal to continue playing basketball at the University level and obtain a B.A. in Communication Studies."
Strings, who sports a 3.50 grade point average at IVC, has been a scholar-athlete both years and was named the Irvine Valley men's basketball team's most improved player this past season.
