3 Boston 13 Year Olds Walk Onto Field At Fenway Park, Here's Why

FENWAY, MA — The Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Foundation introduced its newest class of Red Sox Scholars and the group included three Boston girls.

Sunday, June 24, at Fenway Park before the Red Sox-Mariners game three Boston 13 year olds walked out onto the field with the Red Sox players and got some special recognition.

Charlize Hoeun, age 13, attends Excel Academy Charter School East Boston. Charlize is an honor roll student and received the “Perfect Attendance” award in 2017. She enjoys running on the cross country and track teams, and is also a member of the Model United Nations.

Yanira Barrientos, age 13, attends Hurley K-8 School. Yanira’s hobbies include art and dancing. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, and loves to read. Yanira received the “Hurley Hawk,” a prestigious award at her school presented to students achieving great academic success.

Halimasadia Mohamed, age 13, attends Boston Latin School. Halima has been very active in school, advocating for her peers as a member of the Student Council, singing in choir, and learning choreography for baton-twirling. She is trilingual and speaks English, Swahili, and Somali. In addition, Halima is an honor roll student and has a goal of pursuing a career as a pediatrician in order to make a difference in the world.

Each of them also got a scholarship from the Red Sox Foundation. The three are part of the new class of Red Sox Scholars.

The three were part of this year’s induction of 14 new 7th graders to the program, bringing the total number of Red Sox Scholars to 288. In addition to the new scholars, the induction celebrated members of the program who are graduating high school, college and graduate school. Scholars from each of the previous 15 years were also there.

The Red Sox Scholars program is managed by the Foundation and designed to provide students from Boston Public Schools and Charter Schools with access to college by awarding $10,000 college scholarships. Students are chosen in the 7th grade and provided with academic, professional, and social support by the Foundation throughout their schooling to ensure they graduate from college with as little debt as possible. The program earned Major League Baseball’s first-ever “Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence” in 2010.

“The Red Sox Scholars Program has had an impact on hundreds of students since its creation, and we are pleased to welcome a new class of talented students while celebrating the milestones and achievements of previous classes,” said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. “As the program has grown, so has the sense of community shared by these students. Our focus is not only on achieving academic success, but also ensuring that every student who comes through the program feels like they are part of a family with resources and mentorship they can depend on for years to come.”

Each new scholar was be escorted onto the field by a Red Sox player. Joining them will be BIDMC health professionals, who serve as “Medical Champions” and host a career exploration field trip to introduce students to the health professions.

The Red Sox Scholars program receives funding from American Student Assistance, Aramark, Biogen Foundation, Highland Street Foundation, Doris Buffett’s Letters Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, and PGA Tour/Dell Technologies Championship as well as by Red Sox Foundation fundraising events. Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and his wife, Erin, serve as the Program Captains.

The Red Sox Foundation is a charity nonprofit that raises funds through special events, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won awards for the impact.

In 2010, the Foundation’s Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball with the first-ever “MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.”

In 2009, the Red Sox Foundation was honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Sports Philanthropy Project with the Patterson Award as the nation’s “Best Team Charity in Sports.”

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School and consistently ranks as a national leader among independent hospitals in National Institutes of Health funding.

Now in its 16th year, the Red Sox Scholars Program is presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the Official Hospital & Official Health Care Provider of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park.

Photos courtesy Red Sox Foundation:

East Boston’s Yanira Barrientos with Blake Swihart

East Boston’s Charlize Hoeun with Eduardo Rodriguez

East Boston’s Charlize Hoeun and Yanira Barrientos, South Boston resident Halimasadia Mohamed, and fellow students pose for a photo on field during the Red Sox Scholars special pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 24.

South Boston resident Halimasadia Mohamed with Heath Hembree