Soccer scholarships awarded to seven

Katelyn Bessette, Allison Davis, Kirkwood Harris, Miranda Mahe, Jeff Rogers, Jesse Steele and Katie Torvinen have all been awarded $700 scholarships by the Carson City American Youth Soccer Organization, also known as AYSO, and the Capital Soccer Club.

Each year, Carson City's AYSO and the Capital Soccer Club provide almost $5,000 in scholarships.

"We are extremely proud of this year's recipients," AYSO commissioner Carl Hasty said. "This outstanding group of kids have shown a dedication to soccer, a strong academic background, school and community service and strong participation in both of our programs.'

"We are thrilled to be able to provide these scholarships," Capital Soccer Club president Kevin Updegrove said. "Both of our organizations are dedicated to making soccer a fun and learning experience for kids of all ages. These scholarships are just another way that we give back to the kids and the community."

Criteria for the scholarships included participation in AYSO and the Capital Soccer League, service as a coach, official or volunteer, academic achievement and community service.

"These seven high school seniors have given our programs a lot of exciting moments over the years," Hasty said. "They are great kids who have demonstrated excellence in all areas of life and we are honored to have them as part of our family."

Updegrove said he was impressed with the number and strength of the applicants.

"This was an extremely tough decision," he said. "All of the applicants were strong and all deserved recognition. I'm just glad our two organizations can provide this kind of scholarship money this year."

Officials in both organizations said without their sponsors, the scholarships would not be available.

"We utilize much of the money we raise from the Carson RV tent trailer raffle to fund these scholarships," Hasty said. "The tent trailer donation from Rick, Jane and Kevin Johnson at Carson RV really makes this possible. Plus the scholarship money we receive from so many great businesses around town make this a reality."

For more information, call Hasty, 882-AYSO.