The Spirit of Troy played "Conquest" to end the banquet. Trojan Candy still had more pictures to take.
Who could miss friend Zach Banner (10/11/2012) standing with friend Jennifer Noriega, who planned the entire banquet?
My sister Patti had one more season football ticket to give to a player. We walked over to Stevie Tu'ikolovatu so that she could give him her ticket.
It was the perfect and possibly the last time that I would be able to interview Stevie. So Trojan Candy did. I asked Stevie why he chose USC. He said that USC was a better opportunity to reach his goal. About hobbies, Stevie said they are in this order: "Sleep, eat and cook." He said that he likes to cook Samoan food and eat Filipino food the most. His wife Kalo, who was standing nearby, said, "Stevie will eat anything that is edible!" Good luck in the NFL and FIGHT ON, Stevie!
After interviewing Stevie, Trojan Candy walked back to my table. There was friend John Plattenburg. He came by to visit. Naturally, I interviewed John. He is a Junior Defensive Back who won the "Community Service Award" last year. John said that he still likes to volunteer, likes cars and likes to develop business ideas. He also loves fashion and collecting shoes. Notice his dapper three-piece gray suit in my picture! Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of his shoes. John's favorite NBA basketball player is Ray Allen, and his favorite movie is "He Got Game." John sure has "Got Fashion!" FIGHT ON, John!
As Trojan Candy walked around looking for more players, I saw friends Rojo and Justin Davis posing with another "Candy!" Candy Bubar and her husband Edward posed with USC Running Backs Coach Tommie Robinson. Front: Candy and Edward Bubar. Back: ?, Tommie Robinson, Ronald Jones II, and Justin Davis.
As was the case with Stevie, this was possibly my last chance to interview Justin Davis. I met him when he was a Freshman. Justin's favorite foods are cheeseburgers and chocolate chip cookies. His favorite movie is "Friday Night Lights." As for his favorite television show, Justin likes "Game of Thrones." For a hobby, Justin likes to watch sports. Another Trojan after my own heart! He watches baseball, basketball and football. Justin told me that he played all three sports when he was younger. Good luck in the NFL and FIGHT ON, Justin!
My last picture of such an unbelievable night is of Toa Lobendahn, Viane Talamaivao, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Damien Mama's dad Fuapauna Mama and Adoree' Jackson.
FIGHT ON, USC Football and Beat Penn State in the Rose Bowl!
For Part 1, go to the Previous Page.
Trojan Candy finally found her table. My brother-in-law Dudley Poon saved seats for Patti and me. There was a little time before dinner was served. So I walked around. Near the entrance, I saw a long-time friend, who is in charge of the Football Recruiting. Alex Rios (8/16/2012) gave me a big hug and asked me to take a picture of his co-workers. They posed for this picture. In the front row from left to right are Kristen Lago, Alexa Boyer, Andie Djamal, and Alex Verdugo. In the back row are Gavin Morris, Alex Collins, Eric Loeb, Spencer Higgins, Alex Rios, Cyrus Hobbi (10/3/2016), Rosette Sims, and Kelly Baxter.
Cyrus Hobbi, who is on the Recruiting Team, posed with fellow offensive lineman Chad Wheeler (3/23/2012).
Patti and I walked to the front near the stage where friend Zach Banner (10/11/2012) was sitting with his family. Patti gave Zach's mom some season football tickets with Zach's picture on them, and Trojan Candy does what she normally does. I took his picture with his parents Ron and Vanessa.
Now, we had to return to our table because dinner was about to be served. Trojan Candy met three USC baseball alumni, who were sitting with us. They were Bob Perlberg (1967), Shelly Anarens (1963-1967), and Don Buford (1958).
Trojan Candy noticed that JuJu Smith-Schuster (5/26/2015) and his family were sitting at an adjacent table. I decided to give his mom one of my two football season tickets. JuJu's picture was on the USC vs. Notre Dame game ticket. I walked over to JuJu and asked if I could take a picture of him and his parents. He posed with his mom Sammy Schuster and his dad Lawrence Schuster. Then, I gave JuJu's mom the Notre Dame football ticket. She smiled and thanked me for her new souvenir.
Now it was time for the awards to resume after dinner. Before dinner, the winner of the "Bob Chandler Award" was Sam Darnold, and the winner of the "Community Service Award" was Zach Banner. Trojan Candy looked near the stage and there was friend and fellow photographer Ray Wong. If he can stand at the bottom of the stage steps, so can I. In previous football banquets, Trojan Candy wasn't able to take pictures at the stage steps.
The 2016 Football Seniors are as follows: Zach Banner, Justin Davis, Joel Foy, De'Quan Hampton, Deion Hart, Michael Hutchings, Taylor McNamara, Leon McQuay III, Quinton Powell, Darreus Rogers, Jordan Simmons (7/13/2012), Zach Smith, Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, Chad Wheeler and Isaac Whitney. FIGHT ON, 2016 Football Seniors!
The third and last part of my 2016 USC Football Awards Banquet is about the "After Party."