COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. — Alayna Adamez thought she was attending a team meeting for girls flag football.

The unsuspecting high school athlete sat in a classroom last week, chatting casually with teammates while waiting for her head coach to start the session.

Then Vikings defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez walked in and asked for Adamez, who raised one hand to identify herself while covering her mouth in shock with the other.

The room's excitement level took an immediate jump as Rodriguez presented Adamez with a custom Vikings jersey — and then a pair of tickets to Super Bowl LX.

In September, Adamez had been selected as one of the Vikings two nominees for the NFL Latino Youth Honors, which recognizes high school seniors of every background from across NFL club markets who excel on the field and in the classroom, as well as contribute or engage meaningfully with Latino culture and community.

The pool of nominees has now been narrowed from 64 to eight finalists, and Adamez will proudly represent the entire NFC North. In addition to attending Super Bowl LX, she will receive at least a $5,000 grant award for college; should Adamez be selected as the female national winner (announced during Super Bowl week), that grant will increase to $25,000.

"I just want to congratulate you on everything you've done thus far," Rodriguez told Adamez. "Keep pushin', and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do anything. Follow your dreams and do the things that other people don't."

An emotional Adamez accepted an embrace from Rodriguez and then joined in a celebration with her teammates, coaches and Park High School Athletic Director Phil Kuemmel.

Adamez explained how when she'd initially been selected as the Vikings nominee, she viewed it as "a great opportunity" to not only celebrate her Latino heritage but also to lean into being a leader — "not just in flag football but all around."

"When Levi walked in, I was like, 'Oh my gosh. … This is insane,' " Adamez reacted. "I'm so blessed. I'm, like, shaking. I'm so excited, I don't even know what to say. Just thank you. Honestly, so many thank yous to everybody."

Adamez, who is committed to play Division I softball at Southern Illinois University, expressed deep gratitude to her parents, Jill and Daniel Adamez, and her grandparents, Jesus and Maria Adamez.

"Me and my grandpa, we [have been close for so long], and I learned more [about my heritage] not just from him and my grandma but also his whole family, his sisters," she said. "Grandpa has eight sisters, and they're all gonna be so excited.

"My [family] poured their heart and soul into my passions," Adamez later added. "They knew that I fell in love with softball, and they knew I fell in love with hockey. They poured in any money they could give me so I could go to a scout camp and get looked at and fulfill my dreams."

She and Rodriguez instantly connected over Latino family culture and the sacrifices their families have made over the years for them to continue pursuing their athletic goals.

"They work their butts off," Rodriguez said. "My parents, we've always said we're 'sports poor' because we poured so much money into sports — baseball, football, travel, that we didn't have the biggest house, we didn't have the best cleats, the best gloves or anything, but they knew we had something in our hearts and minds to go chase.

"That's what my parents wanted for me, to give me an opportunity … and they did that," he added. "They're the proudest parents. And I bet yours are, too."

Adamez beamed, echoing Rodriguez whole-heartedly.

Though softball is her primary sport, Adamez is an all-around athlete, also playing hockey and, of course, flag football.

"And because she didn't have anything to do in the fall, she picked up tennis," Kuemmel quipped.

Adamez jumped at the chance to be part of Park's inaugural girls flag football season, the softball catcher stepping in to play quarterback.

"I had seen Alayna play in the powderpuff game, and I knew right away," Park Head Coach Scott Leonard said. "When teams have never seen us play, they don't realize how strong her arm is. Most teams, they'll drop their defensive backs about 15 yards, stop and sit down. Well, Alayna can throw the ball 40 to 45 yards in the air.

"A dad from another team at one of our games got on his phone and said, 'You've gotta get over here and see this girl throw,' " Leonard added, laughing.

Adamez helped lead her team to the Minnesota State Tournament's final four this past spring, throwing for 1,432 yards over eight regular-season games. She threw 32 touchdown passes with just five interceptions and was named the District 6 Gold Quarterback of the Year.

Beyond her athletic abilities, Adamez shines in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA and is looked to as a role model by peers and younger students alike. She is a WEB leader, helping younger children transition smoothly into middle school, and has been a Buddy for the local Miracle League.

"Her personality, she's just so bubbly. She's fun to be around," Leonard said. "The girls love playing with her on the football field."

Watching Adamez's teammates wrap her in hugs, offer emotional congratulations and excitedly pose for group photos, it's clear how close the team is and how much respect the QB has earned.

"We're all best friends," Adamez said, smiling.

"All the girls did a great job from Week 1 to the end of the season … and our community really came out and supported the team," Kuemmel said. "This is all so exciting, and I'm proud of Alayna. I just keep going back to one of eight in the country, and how neat is that? She contributes in so many ways to Park High School, and this is really cool. It's phenomenal."