On Friday, September 8, 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas football team and students participated in the 2nd annual “Yanni’s Gold Game" in honor of Ayanna Culler, and raised $400 for this scholarship. The STA football team showed their support by purchasing and wearing athletic sleeves during Friday night's game in honor of this year’s Gold Game Warrior, STA student Zachary Johnson. Zach was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and continues to display strength, one-of-a-kind courage, and a deep love for others. Zach loves playing video games and basketball with his friends as well as eating lots of snacks! Zach is greatly humbled and thankful for the kindness and love that has been shown by his family, friends, and St. Thomas Aquinas community.
Zach stood alongside his mother Deeya, father Zach, and his brother Zion during the halftime ceremony, where Coach Henderson gifted Zach with a gold football that had been signed by STA’s football team and coaching staff. STA football players and cheerleaders presented Zach and his family with a $400 check to go towards Zach’s fight raised by students at STA. The Culler family, (Arlune, LaTisha, A’Niah, Angel Ayanna, Christian, Bryson), Nikki Robinson from the Expressive Therapy Department at Akron Children’s Hospital and DeVon Chester thank Coach Henderson and the St. Thomas Aquinas football team and community for participating in the 2nd annual, “Yanni’s Gold Game.” The Culler family would like to thank everyone deeply for keeping the legacy of Ayanna strong!