By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 14, 2026-Congratulations to Ellida Earnhart who is receiving a scholarship through the Cortlandt ODP Scholarship Program from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). ODP, short for the Olympic Development Program (ODP), is the highest level of play in every state association and players are guaranteed to be seen by national and regional coaches. Eastern New York would particularly like to thank the Cortlandt Soccer Club for funding this scholarship. Ellida has played for Eastern New York ODP for the past two years. The Philmont resident wrote in her essay:
Playing sports while balancing your education is hard. The long nights, tired mornings and exhausting days can feel like they last forever. But at the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of the marking period or the end of a game, when you score a goal, make an amazing tackle or receive an “A” on an assignment ,it makes it all worth it.
For me, I strive to be the best I can be. Whether that’s my career in sports, on the soccer field, or in every honors and college class I take, I choose the hard path. I chose to take the honors classes, complete the extra assignments and try out for the ODP team. My time here and now matter. I plan to make an impact. I plan on graduating summa cum laude, playing soccer in college and becoming an environmental lawyer. I am chasing my dreams, and will take every chance and opportunity I can to make them a reality.
Ellida is in the top 10% of her class at Taconic Hills High School, has maintained this status since the eight grade and recently received awards in Chemistry and Spanish.
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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/