Five dedicated soccer players from our Beacon program, which offers after-school and summer youth development opportunities at East Side Community School, are headed to a World Cup Round of 32 match on June 30th!
Thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, five students from our Beacon’s soccer program will get to attend a World Cup match this summer. The students selected have shown real commitment to their team, and we’re delighted they’ll get to be part of such a special experience.
“Soccer has been a huge part of my life for years, so being selected to attend a World Cup match is an incredible honor,” shared Sinclair Thorne IV, a senior. “Watching the world’s best players compete on the biggest stage is something I’ve always dreamed about. I’m thankful for this opportunity and excited to experience the energy, passion, and unity that the World Cup brings.”
“What does it mean to be going to the World Cup? Everything,” said Ariel Heeres, a senior. The World Cup in my mind was always this grand thing that only when I’m older would I maybe be able to go. Getting the opportunity to be able to go as a kid along with my friends is the dream. To be able to see greatness in person is every soccer kid’s dream and I’m so grateful being given this opportunity.”
“A World Cup match is exciting to me because it means I get to watch the best of two nations playing for one of the most coveted trophies,” added sophomore Otis Bartlet.
“Having played soccer since I was 4 years old, a World Cup ticket means much more to me than just getting into a game,” said Diego Rosa, a senior. “It represents years of hard work, dedication, and love for the sport through countless practices, matches, and memorable moments. Being able to watch the world’s best players compete on soccer’s biggest stage is a dream come true and a chance to experience the excitement and passion of the game at the highest level. It also makes me feel connected to millions of fans and players around the world who share the same love for soccer. Attending a World Cup match is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a meaningful reward for a lifelong connection to the sport.”
The five student athletes will be chaperoned by Coach Lou, East Side’s soccer coach. He shared, “This opportunity is life changing for me. Growing up in Africa, the World Cup is like the top of the top! Nothing can top that. I grew up playing soccer, and going to see a World Cup game at my age – this is so incredible, words cannot explain the feeling I have. This is beyond everything that I could have imagined! When I came to the United States, my first wish was to see a World Cup soccer match, and now years and years and years later I get to fulfill my dream.”
This opportunity was made possible thanks to Stavros Niarchos, a foundation partner that currently funds The Creative Center, our award-winning arts-in-health and creative aging program. Knowing that we also offer youth programs, they reached out to share the opportunity with all of their NYC-area youth-serving partners.
A huge thank you to Stavros Niarchos for making this possible – and congratulations to our Beacon soccer players!