2025 | Maryland | COED

Urbana High School | Hawks | COED

Each year since 2003, a single senior hockey player from each participating high school is selected by his or her coach to be honored by teammates and celebrated by the school and the community for outstanding individual performance on and off the ice. Buck Vongnaraj works as a leader with the players and when necessary, offers specific advice to his teammates. Team captain for the 2024-25 season, Buck’s attitude and effort could easily be instilled in others due to his work ethic and teaching skills. He has exceptional hockey skills and a great defensive forward, sacrificing his personal glory, statistics, and accolades for the betterment of the team. Team leadership characteristics since his freshman year, Buck has shown leadership in school, on the ice, in the locker room, and outside the rink. On his own time, Buck will go out of his way to help tutor and mentor other hockey players and classmates while still maintaining Honor Roll and a 4.17 GPA. In addition, Buck was a member of the National Honors Society and Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. In addition, some of Buck’s other accolades include, Member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Vice President of Urbana Hockey Club, and Treasurer of the Asian Pacific Islander America Culture Club (APAC). In his free time, Buck has completed over 100 hours of community service at Kumon and Calleva. Competitors respect him and his team honors him. Although quiet-spoken, Buck is very serious when it comes to competition, discipline, and respect. Buck is an outstanding student on and off the ice. His positive character traits and determination, strong work ethic and leadership style, makes Buck a wonderful nominee for this distinguished award. I couldn’t think of someone else better that not only represents the Hobey Baker Award, but also the Urbana Hawks.

Getting this award is an honor to receive and an honor that any coach should be proud to give. It represents Character, Commitment, Teamwork, Persistence, Selflessness, Academic Excellence and Sportsmanship and a “Team before me” attitude. I am honored to present Buck Vongnaraj with this year’s Hobey Baker Award.