BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Congratulations to Spanish River High School Senior Zoe Unger. The Boca Raton student has been named “2012 US Youth Soccer of the Year.” The honor was bestowed upon her at the Youth Soccer Workshop in Indianpolis.
According to the soccer association:
Zoe Unger has long been a volunteer for US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer and since her 13th birthday, she has planned a service project each year to benefit the program. Now an excellent high school senior with well over 300 hours of community service, Zoe has organized a fundraising event for the past three years that’s grown into a 5v5 tournament.
“Zoe dreams big! She is always thinking of ways to make a bigger impact. Year by year, we have seen more people get involved in her 5v5 tournament and more money has been raised for an incredibly worthwhile program because of her dedication and hard work,” added Mr. Kevin Turner, Coach and Teacher.
She continues to work as a buddy captain for TOPSoccer and also volunteers for her temple’s youth group and plans to volunteer as a counselor at a camp in Georgia. “Most importantly though, Zoe does it for the benefit of the TOPSoccer players, not because of any awards or recognition that might come her way,” Mr. Turner said.
Zoe has been accepted to Florida State University and Indiana University at Bloomington and plans to pursue a career in event planning with emphasis on fundraising for not for profit and charitable organizations.
The recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award is selected by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors. The Volunteer of the Year award honors those who are excellent role models for their community. Willingness to promote players and soccer, sound moral and ethical character and increasing the opportunities to participate in soccer are all characteristics of nominees for the Volunteer of the Year award.
Hilary Kennedy, host of The US Youth Soccer Show on Fox Soccer, set the stage for the night as the master of ceremonies for the more than 1,000 in attendance. Boys and Girls Recreation and Competitive Coaches of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Young Referee of the Year, Goal and Save of the Year, TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, the Dr. Thomas Fleck Award and the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored, as well.
For more information about the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala and award winners, visit USYouthSoccer.org/workshop/galaawards.
