New Jersey Youth Soccer Association

News Detail

20

Apr, 2023

Lena Smith and Brandon De La Puente Announced As Jeanine Willis Scholarship Recipients

Aleksei Roschko, NJYS Contributor (Photo by Cos Lymperopoulos)

New Jersey Youth Soccer continues its celebration of the NJYS Annual Awards Presented by RWJBarnabas Health today, officially announcing Lena Smith and Brandon De La Puente as recipients of the 2023 Jeanine Willis Scholarship. Each year, NJ Youth Soccer awards this scholarship to deserving college-bound high school seniors who participated in the NJYS State Cups Program.

The Jeanine Willis Scholarship was established by NJ Youth Soccer to honor the numerous contributions that Jeanine Willis made to youth soccer in the State of New Jersey and beyond. She was the first NJYS Executive Director, served as a member of the NJYS Board of Directors and is a member of the NJYS Hall of Fame.

Lena Smith laced up her boots for the first time at the age of five, and soccer immediately became a staple in her life. Currently, she is still playing for both Jackson Soccer Club and Jackson Memorial High School. Smith says that soccer established some of her best personal qualities, taught her valuable life lessons and helped her develop some of her closest friendships. Soccer has always been a happy place for her, and she still looks forward to each practice because she can be herself while being challenged both mentally and physically. Soccer has also helped her give back to the community through philanthropic service, and she has even gotten the opportunity to coach alongside her father.

“As a player and more recently as a referee, I have become acquainted with the Jeanine Willis Fields in Freehold,” said Smith. “I am grateful to be chosen for this scholarship in her honor.”

Brandon De La Puente first put on a jersey at the age of three. Since that first experience, he feels like nothing else matters when he is playing, and all he can focus on is the game itself. Soccer has also brought him some of his greatest friends and role models. Additionally, the game has led him to community service and fundraisers such as car washes, county clean-ups and most recently a memorial walk to commemorate the first responders of the 9/11 tragedy.

“I cannot put into words how much soccer means to me. I hope I never have to hang up my cleats,” said De La Puente. “Whenever I need to relieve stress or I want to reminisce about good times in my life, the first thing that comes to mind is the memories I made with my teammates during soccer season.”

NJ Youth Soccer held its 2023 NJYS Annual Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health this past February, where many players, coaches and guests of the soccer community were on hand at the Pines Manor in Edison, N.J. With more than 1,000 attendees, the event saw a capacity crowd in attendance for the annual celebration.

To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email [email protected]. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer

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New Jersey Youth Soccer

News Detail

20

Apr, 2023

Lena Smith and Brandon De La Puente Announced As Jeanine Willis Scholarship Recipients

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