By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 24, 2011-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) recently awarded their annual scholarships to several worthy graduating high school seniors. Among the winners were Garden City’s Kyle Lynch, who received a $1,000 Livio D’Arpino Scholarship, and Salimat Ayinde of North Bellmore, who received a $1,000 Patricia Louise Masotto/Brenda Driscoll Scholarship.
Kyle has played for the past decade for the current Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup champions, the Garden City Gladiators of the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
Kyle wrote in his essay, “My experiences in the TOPSoccer Program have helped me mature into an adult figure, teaching me values that have helped separate me from many people my age who may not know how to act in a situation in which they are not comfortable. Five years ago, I had the opportunity to join a soccer-related community service program for my soccer team. I decided to volunteer at TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer), which is designed to teach children with mental or physical disabilities basic values through the game of soccer. From my first time there, the kids welcomed me and made me feel as if I had known them for years. As a result, this made me realize that these young children are actually more mature than many people my own age. As time passed over the weekends, I formed bonds with many kids who made me feel like their friend and not their helper. From that time on, I have dedicated every Saturday morning, fall and spring, to riding my bike down to Tullamore Park and playing soccer with my new friends, Carlos and Matty. Through this experience, I have gained many values that have helped me develop––the major one being patience.”
At Garden City High School, Kyle was a member of the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society and Principal’s List plus received the Adelphi University Prize For Leadership. He played for the Long Island Junior Soccer League Select Team for six years and played soccer for Garden City High School as well.
Kyle will attend Elon University in North Carolina, where he will major in communications and pursue a career in television production. The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, is named after the beloved Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Vice President who was seemingly involved in every area of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.
Salimat wrote in her essay, “I am the type of person who works hard in everything. Whether it is school work, soccer or clubs, I try my best. Even in elementary school, I pushed myself to get good grades when others were just getting by. As I got older, my classes got progressively harder and harder. The more advanced my classes, the harder I worked and the more I studied…On my travel team, I lead by example. As captain, I make sure that I am working hard and demanding the same from my teammates.”
Salimat played for the East Meadow Express of the Long Island Junior Soccer League, which won the Northeast Regional Premier League championship twice.
At Mepham High School, Salimat was a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society as well as receiving the Senior Recognition Award. She was honored as All-Conference in soccer and was a starting defender for Mepham since the 8th Grade. She also ran track.
The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll of Massapequa, were best friends and top women’s soccer players. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association set up a scholarship in their name after they were tragically killed by a drunk driver in Farmingdale in 1985.