The Washington Premier Football Club Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2012 recipients of the Athena Student Athlete Scholarship Award. Each year, high school aged members of the club are encouraged to apply for the Award and a portion of the $5000.00 scholarship fund. The basis for determining the winners is a combination of community service, academic success and athletic prowess. This year, we are proud to announce that 4 student athletes will receive the award.
Cassidy Richmond. $2,000 Award. Cassidy, a 3.72 student from Tahoma HS, plans on taking her futball skills to Boise State University in the fall. Cassidy reflects back on her 8 years in the club and talks about hard work, dedication, long hours and time management. All things she feels will prepare her for the next step of fulfilling her dream of playing collegiate soccer. Additionally, Cassidy believes that WPFC has taught her the importance of giving back and participating in the community. Whether that meant working at the Maple Valley Community Center, tutoring fellow students in Spanish, raising money to build wells in Africa or being a counselor at a soccer camp, this National Honor Society member has taken it to heart and it shows.
Kelsey Witker. $1,700 Award. Kelsey also plans on attending Boise State University in the fall after completing a 7 year career at WPFC. Kelsey knows the value of patience and commitment. Spending 4 years on the “white” team, Kelsey worked tirelessly on her game and it paid off at U16 when she was invited to play on the ECNL squad. Over the next 2 seasons she continued to work hard and went from an ECNL newcomer to starter and finally a college bound scholarship athlete. Her work ethic is apparent to anyone that knows her and it shows. Her 3.84 GPA from Bellarmine Prep and National Honor Society membership are just a couple examples. Kelsey is a member of the Marybridge Childrens Hospital Board where she helps raise money to support the The Tree House, a place where families can stay when their sick child is at the hospital. Kelsey loves wearing the Black and White of WPFC and will miss being a part of the program. She hopes to come back some day at give back by coaching in the club.
Lauren Larson. $800 Award. Lauren, an 8 year member of WPFC, has learned that nothing is given to you in life. Hard work and effort are what she’s been taught at WPFC and through those attributes she’s turned into a fine athlete and young lady. This multisport athlete, from Curtis HS, carries a 3.54 GPA and mentions that WPFC, in addition to the above mentioned traits, has taught her to compete, be respectful and stay determined no matter what the circumstance. Lauren found that her athletic ability has transferred well into giving back to her community by helping out at tryouts to being a camp counselor. Lauren will be playing for Pacific Lutheran University.
Hanna Zielke. $500 Award. Hanna, also an 8 year member of WPFC, mentions how much she’s learned from the 5 coaches she’s had while playing for the club. Working together, communication, determination and good work ethic are all words Hanna uses to describe her experience at WPFC and her love for the game. Hanna speaks fondly of her WPFC “family” knowing that the club was always supportive, encouraged her to do her best, and challenged her to exceed her limits. The club goal of “Creating Champions on the field and in life” are evident in this soccer player that plans on taking her game to Pacific Lutheran University in the fall.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and to all the applicants that submitted applications to this year’s Athena Scholarship program.
