NEWS FROM WYOMING SOCCER ASSOCIATON...

2023 Academic Scholarship Winners Announced

Wyoming Soccer Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Academic Scholarship. Each recipient will receive a $500 academic scholarship paid to the college where they are enrolled. We had many applications come in, and as always, they were each highly qualified and deserving. But, our scholarship committee was able to narrow it down to the following three!

Court Gonsalez Court is from Worland, and plans to attend Casper College and focus on Chemistry, as he plans to eventually become a Pharmacist. Court plans to attend Casper College and play soccer. This came as a surprise to many, as Court plays multiple sports and many thought he was destined to play basketball in college. Soccer, Court says, has always been a game that he did not have to think about, everything just seemed to flow. With basketball, and even with his academics, he tends to second guess himself on things. "That is not the case in soccer; I love how the game flows and how everything works. This is one lesson that soccer has taught me; to never second guess myself and trust my gut. This is a valuable lesson that everyone should learn and most of the time your gut is right. This is applicable throughout anything in life whether that be in your job, or whether that be choosing your significant other. It can be used for anything, and I honestly would have never learned this without soccer and just trusting myself and doing what I love," says Court. Court's soccer profile includes: Three-time Letter Recipient 4 Consecutive 3A State Championships 3 Consecutive Undefeated Seasons Boys 3A Soccer Underclassman of the Year - 2022 2-Time 3A All Conference - 2021, 2022 2-Time 3A All State - 2021, 2022 All-time HS soccer record: 34-0-1 2022 Personal Soccer Season Stats: 21 Goals; 38 Assists Court believes in going above and beyond in everything he does. He attributes his hard work ethic to his mom, who has raised him independently and ensured he enjoyed every opportunity to do the things he loved. He does not want college to be a burden on her, and receiving scholarships, such as this one, help him pave the way for his continued education. Court has taken advanced courses throughout high school and has been able to achieve a 4.1 weighted GPA. He plays three high school varsity sports - football, basketball and soccer, participates in FFA, started his own business doing lawn care in the summer, volunteers to coach recreational soccer, and is actively involved with the Playing for Hope Foundation, which his family started to use sports as a way to raise funds for cancer patients. He is also an elected member of the "W" Club which is a school wide endeavor to enlist positive role models, encourage volunteerism, bring forth messages of “no bullying” at the elementary schools and enforce a no drinking and drug commitment, which members must sign. Court has demonstrated he is an excellent role model for his peers and makes his family, his school and his community very proud!

Vivianne Ostheimer Vivianne is from Buffalo, WY and plans to attend the University of Montana to pursue a career in journalism paired with environmental sciences. She sees a need for writers who can explain complex scientific issues to the general public understandably and motivate them to find solutions. Vivianne will not be playing soccer for the University, but she absolutely plans on playing club soccer and continuing to foster her passion for the sport. Vivianne started playing at the age of nine. It was hard, but she stuck with it despite feeling like quitting at times, a lesson she has taken with her. She once overheard her coach telling someone that it was nice to see her stick with it, but that she had no talent. Her team struggled, and she learned how to be her own biggest fan and worked tirelessly to improve. Her persistence and mindset paid off, and she continued to play and her love of the game grew. In high school she lead her team and played center midfielder. Vivianne's soccer profile includes: 2-Time Wyoming 3A All-Conference - 2021, 2022 Wyoming 3A All-State - 2021 Three-time Letter Recipient Everything about Vivianne is off the charts. She simply excels. Her transcripts basically read A+ all the way down! She has a weighted GPA of 4.25 and is involved in numerous school activities. She is part of student council, and besides soccer, she also plays varsity volleyball and is in indoor track. She is part of FBLA, Students Against Violating the Earth (SAVE), the student newspaper, the Balladiers Honor Choir, theater and the CREATE art club. She is also involved in her community with 4-H, the American Legion Auxiliary, Bighorn Bluegrass Camp for Kids (she's a teacher), and volunteers for Johnson County Soccer as a recreational coach, the local recycling center, the Johnson County Fair Board, Meals on Wheels, Friends Feeding Friends, and did an internship for the Buffalo Bulletin. She is also a certified soccer referee and plans to referee during college to earn extra money. Her teachers rave about her and use adjectives such as extraordinary, best, accomplished, outstanding, thoughtful and brilliant to describe her in every way. Her talents go far beyond sports and academics. She is a star performer in her high school theater productions and is a beautiful singer. She is a role model for younger athletes and performers and truly puts her passion into action, as evidenced by her multitude of volunteer activities.

Delaney Sullivan Delaney is from Lander and plans to attend Yakima Valley College in Yakima, WA where, like Court, she plans to study Chemistry and eventually go into Pharmacy. She also plans to play soccer for the Lady Yaks. Delaney is the epitome of the phrase, 'she may be small, but she is fierce.' She has played as the only female on a boys team, she has played with girls and she has played coed. She has played for varying clubs and has been part of both Wyoming ODP and Montana ODP. She has learned to acclimate to her environment and play with and for those she does not know. Soccer has taught her how to do this. Soccer has been her one consistent, and has given her confidence and unlimited opportunity, including her dream of playing collegiate soccer. This was something others doubted due to her size, teaching her yet one more lesson - that she is capable of anything she puts her mind to. Delaney's soccer profile includes: Wyoming 3A All Conference - 2021, 2022 Wyoming 3A All State - 2021, 2022 3A State Champions - 2021 3A State Finalists - 2022 Feb 2019 Wyoming Soccer Player Spotlight Wyoming ODP Invite (2016-2019) Montana ODP (2021-2022) USYS West Region ODP Player Pool Three-time letter recipient Delaney has taken advanced classes and has managed to hold a current weighted GPA of 4.17. Delaney has earned an academic letter all four years and is part of the National Honor Society. She has volunteered annually for her local Elks Club Christmas fundraiser since 2010 (since she was only 5!) and also volunteers for her local soccer club whenever she can. Delaney has developed a reputation for being compassionate and considerate of those around her. She strives for perfection in herself and wants to help others be the best version of themselves. Others are drawn to her and are easily able to learn from her - she is a natural leader in every area of her life. She inspires others through her own self-reflection and advocacy, always reflecting on her own personal experience so she can understand and learn from it - a rare find in someone her age. Her energy, drive and passion are truly unmatched and have gotten her to where she is. She is always seeking ways to grow and improve and the stability soccer has given her has lead her to the next chapter. Delaney is a light and a joy and is so grateful to all those who have supported her dream and helped her get there!

CONGRATULATIONS TO COURT, VIVIANNE & DELANEY!

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