By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 12, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Plainview resident Samantha Graf is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship.
At Plainview/Old Bethpage High School, Samantha was involved in student government all four years and was Senior Class President. An Honor Roll Student all four years as well, she was in the Business Honor Society, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and a Moot Court Winner in addition to participating in the Mock Trial Club and Marching Band. Her community service includes teacher’s assistant, Holiday Helper, Senior Citizen Prom Senior, Citizen Internet Learning, Holocaust Remembrance Night and Valentine’s Day Veterans Cards.
Samantha played in Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) in addition to club and high school soccer. In her essay, she wrote that “My dedication to soccer spans many years, starting from my early childhood and continuing into my high school years. Soccer has not only been a sport for me but a source of joy, discipline and personal development. The lessons I’ve learned on the field such as teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship have translated into other areas of my life, including academics and leadership roles.”
The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. The scholarship is determined by success in high school as well as community service.
We wish Samantha well in studying and playing goalkeeper at Marist College in Poughkeepsie 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 10 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/