By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
August 16, 2019-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Kieran Hughes is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. The award is based on success in high school as well as community service.
 
The Latham resident was on the Honor Roll and received the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish before graduating from Shaker High School this past June.

Kieran is also receiving a scholarship from the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL). He played for the CDYSL’s Latham Circle Soccer Club plus has officiated hundreds of youth soccer games in both the CDYSL and at Afrim’s Sports.

He wrote in his essay, “During my sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness known as ulcerative colitis. I did not know it at the time but the diagnosis has given me a life-changing form of adversity that would shape my life from that day forward.

Prior to my diagnosis, I was an active person. I worked as a certified referee for the CDYSL, captained my JV soccer team and played on the varsity team during their sectional run...The following year, due to my health, I struggled to earn a spot on the JV team.

I was absent from school 25 days during my junior year, was hospitalized for a second time and found difficulty in participating in activities due to fatigue. I succeeded in putting my school work first and my grades remained the same as previous years.

I’ve come to the hard realization that playing competitive soccer in college is no longer an option but my love for the game will never change. I plan to join the club team in college and will also continue working as a referee…Through this experience, I’ve prevailed as a stronger individual. This daily battle with my body continues to give me the confidence day after day to prove to myself that I’m able to win this battle.”
 
We wish Kieran the best at Siena College this fall.
 
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.