River Valley athletes help serve dinner to attendees during the annual Meet the Falcons fundraiser Aug. 22.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - River Valley High School students traded uniforms for introductions Aug. 22 as the Falcon community gathered for the fourth annual Meet the Falcons Touchdown Dinner.

The annual fundraiser, held at River Valley High School, gave families and community members an opportunity to meet the students representing the school’s athletic programs while raising support for football, cheer and flag football. But for many of the young athletes in the room, representing River Valley extends well beyond the field.

River Valley student-athletes have become a familiar sight at community events throughout the Yuba-Sutter area, regularly volunteering at events such as the Bi-County Back to School Bash, Winter Wonderland at the Tri-Counties Community Center and food distributions throughout the year. In covering those events, Falcon athletes have consistently been among some of the most visible student volunteers — unloading supplies, handing out food, helping families and filling whatever role is needed.

Nearly 475 people gathered at River Valley High School Aug. 22 for the fourth annual Meet the Falcons Touchdown Dinner, a fundraiser supporting Falcon athletics.

That same willingness to show up was on display at the Touchdown Dinner. River Valley Sports Association President Tanya Colburn said more than 50 volunteers helped with setup alone this year, while football, cheer and flag football athletes also stepped in throughout the evening.

“Watching our athletes step up and help with this event made me so proud,” Colburn wrote following the dinner.

The event itself has grown considerably since its beginning.

“When we started the tradition of Meet the Falcons 4 years ago, [we] had close to 100 attendees,” Colburn said. “This year we had almost 475.”

River Valley flag football players gather during the Meet the Falcons Touchdown Dinner Aug. 22. Freshman Miley Egbert, second from right, said she is looking forward to making memories with her teammates this season.

The evening included dinner, raffles, a dessert auction, music and a foam party for children, along with introductions and recognition of athletes, coaches, school staff and community supporters. For Colburn, who leads the volunteer-run River Valley Sports Association, the size of this year’s turnout was about more than attendance numbers.

“Last night wasn’t successful because of one person,” she wrote. “It was successful because an entire community showed up. And THAT is what being a Falcon is all about.”

That connection between athletics and school culture was also emphasized by River Valley’s new principal, Dr. Rocco Greco. Greco told those gathered that athletics give students an opportunity to represent their school while developing skills that carry far beyond competition.

River Valley High School football players and coaches are introduced during the Meet the Falcons Touchdown Dinner Aug. 22.

“You look for athletes because you know that they’re able to work with other people, that they’re going to be willing to sacrifice for the team,” Greco said, adding that while students learn many lessons in school, “there are a ton of lessons that they learn out here on the field as well.”

For freshman flag football player Miley Egbert, becoming a Falcon is already about those relationships.

“I’m looking forward to the memories that my teammates give me,” Egbert said. “I’m looking forward to losing my voice at the end of the game.”

Asked what she likes about the Falcons so far, Egbert pointed to the enthusiasm surrounding the program.

“I love their attitude. I love how passionate they are about their sport,” she said. “They’re just so energetic.”

River Valley football players wait along the track during introductions at the fourth annual Meet the Falcons Touchdown Dinner Aug. 22.

That energy has increasingly spilled into the wider community. Whether they are competing under the lights on a Friday night, helping distribute backpacks before the start of school or volunteering during a holiday event, River Valley athletes are becoming recognizable not only for the teams they play for, but for their willingness to serve.

“We’re not just building teams,” a message from the association in the event program reads. “We’re building friendships, making memories, creating traditions, and bringing together a community that shows up - again and again - for our kids.”

River Valley cheerleaders perform for the crowd during the Meet the Falcons Touchdown Dinner Aug. 22 at River Valley High School.