Archawin Nimanong Memorial Scholarship

Archawin Nimanong was a respected lacrosse player who turned down a D3 athletic scholarship in order to attend Glendale Community College. He believed this was the best way to forge a path to the UC system while helping to meet his family's needs. Despite his leukemia diagnosis in early 2020, he worked his way through his two years at GCC. He sometimes completed courses and met with faculty in the BMT Unit at the hospital. At the end of his two years at GCC, he was accepted to the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2021. He was proud to be a Dynamiter at Glendale High School and Vaquero at GCC, but he was especially eager to play as a Gaucho on UCSB’s Division 1 MCLA team. He wanted to prove that an undersized Thai kid from Glendale could play with the best of them… and we all know that Archawin could play with the best of them.

One of the many personal wonders about Archawin was his love of the rain. He always said that it reminded him of his early childhood in Thailand, a time that was more relaxing and carefree. During his extended stays at the hospital over the past two years, he would stare out the window, wishing he could feel the rain on his skin and be out in the world with family and friends.

The rain never stopped him from living a life of service. Whether he was waking up before dawn to make it to his early morning lacrosse practices, volunteering to coach middle schoolers, or working late hours to support his family’s small businesses, Archawin always put others before himself. He was an inspiring leader and faithful friend who lived with gratitude for life and its opportunities every single day.

He had a strong and respectful exterior, but underneath it all, he was a passionate person who felt and loved deeply. Archawin loved his family. He loved his friends. And he loved his teammates. He would have gone to battle for any one of us.

Through his fight with acute myeloid leukemia and respiratory infections, he wished for health and peace. Most of all, he wished that he could get better so that he could get back to taking care of his family and friends, and back to the life he loved.

We are glad that he has found peace, though we will miss him endlessly.

Archawin is survived by his mother, father, younger brother, and many family and friends who love him dearly.

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Your donations would be greatly appreciated, as they will help endow a memorial scholarship in his name.