Each year, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer receives nominations, and seeks leaders, from those about to graduate high school. The four $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to individuals who exemplify strong leadership abilities, maintain high academic performance and seek financial support. Since 1990, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has awarded 100 students with four-year college scholarships. Meet the 2014 class of scholars!
Steven McFarland, a 2014 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School, has played soccer since he was 4 years old. His travel soccer career began at the age of 9 when he joined the Spirit United Striker U10 team through the U13 season. He spent his U14- U17 years with the West Chester United SC Predators team, and this past year played for the Continental FC Strikers U18 team. At Coatesville High School he was a four year Varsity player, selected All Ches-Mont his junior and senior year, and as a senior had the honor of being chosen as Captain of his high school team. A member of the National Honor Society from 2012-2014, Steven has seen success in the classroom, but also enjoyed making a difference in his Coatesville community. He mentored youth in the classroom & on the field, was an active and involved member of his high school booster club, and has volunteered for many local events and causes throughout the years. Steven will be attending Widener University in the fall as a Mechanical Engineering major. He is excited to further his education at Widener, and is looking forward to the outstanding co-op opportunities available. He plans on giving his all on the Widener University Men’s Soccer team and is eager to continue his community service and involvement in Chester, Pa.
Throughout high school, Alyssa Blair took seven AP classes and maintained a cumulative GPA of 5.0452. Academically, she was a member of the Math and Science Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society, the Historian of National Honor Society, the Treasurer of Spanish Honor Society, the Student Council Representative for Community Service, and President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Due to her academic achievements and service activities, she received the Student Services Award, the Sun East "People Helping People" Award, the FBLA Service Award, the Chichester Education Association Scholarship, the Widener University High School Leadership Award, Rotary Student of the Month, and Superior Honor Roll for all four years of high school. She was also awarded the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association Good Citizenship Award and attended the Union League of Philadelphia Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program at Freedoms Foundation, the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program (HOBY), and the Delaware County Council Youth Leadership Academy. As a four-year Varsity starter and two year Captain, Alyssa’s athletic achievements include All-Delco Second Team for both the 2012 and 2013 soccer seasons, as well as All-Delco Honorable Mention in 2011. She currently holds the honor of a two year Eagle Award recipient and Chichester High School Girls' Varsity Soccer All-Time Scoring Leader in addition to leading in assists and total points. She is attending Pennsylvania State University as a Finance and Economics major and she plans on continuing soccer in the intramural league, participating in a THON committee, and joining various business clubs.
Kyle Bulgarelli started playing soccer at four years of age with his local club team Trojan Soccer Club. He joined the FC York Gunners when he was 11 and played until this past May. In addition to his club team, he played soccer all four years at York Suburban High School as well as kicked for the football team and played in the Marching Band. During his career at York Suburban he was named First Team All-County for soccer and First Team All-County for football as a kicker and Second Team All-County for football as a punter. Kyle was in the top 10% of his class all four years and a member of National Honor Society, German Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He had lead roles in the musical his junior and senior years and was involved in Link Crew and York Suburban’s first THON. He volunteered as a catechist aide for St. Joseph’s Church throughout high school and has been a camp counselor at Penn State-York’s soccer camp the past 3 years. Most recently Kyle worked as a soccer referee this spring and summer. Kyle will be attending Hood College to study Environmental Science and Policy and plans to continue to play soccer for the Blazers. Eventually he wants to coach a soccer team either at the high school or club level.
Stepping off the soccer pitch after a hard played game or intense practice always left Milena Nino relaxed with a clear mind. She found that running up and down the soccer field was a way of relieving the stress that comes with being a high achieving and ambitious student. Playing sports developed a competitive and disciplined character for Milena, which transcended into her academic endeavors. Throughout high school, she maintained High Honor Roll and received membership into National Honor Society as Secretary, Spanish National Honor Society as Vice-President, and Mu Alpha Theta as Vice-President and Ambassador. Awards that she has been recognized for include the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, the Cohen and Feeley “Best of the Best” Award, and the Donley Award of Excellence. As a member of her high school’s varsity team, she can recount the exhilarating experiences of qualifying for the State Championships and making history for her school where she and her teammates became Conference and District champions. Playing soccer on a competitively level instilled in her the importance of overcoming any adversity and always move forward. These values will guide her as she looks forward to her studies at Johns Hopkins University in the fall to major in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. There I will aspire to grow academically as well as athletically playing the beautiful game of soccer for the University’s club level team.