Kaelyn Lawson is a member of the National Honor Society. (Photo courtesy of Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association)
Kaelyn Lawson has received a Jack Bauman Scholarship from Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.
The scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.
Lawson, a Vorheesville, N.Y. resident, played in the Capital District Youth Soccer League for Capital United, Alleycats and Blackwatch as well as Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program.
She was a member of the National Honor Society and High Honor Roll all four years at Clayton A. Bouton High School. Lawson has played on the varsity soccer team since eighth grade when she suffered a severe concussion in the sectional final.
In her essay, Lawson wrote, ”My life consisted of concussion clinic visits, experimental studies, locking myself in my room and following 504 Disability Code accommodations at my home school. I was not in a good mental state either since it felt as if I was a prisoner in my own mind, not being able to go out and do what made me happy. On certain days, my depression was so crippling that I did not leave my bed.
“Soccer is such a metaphor for me now. It has made me want to help others just as my coaches had and many doctors and nurses had to help me recover…I volunteered with local soccer programs and it was such a pleasure seeing the smiles on kids’ faces as they scored a goal, blocked a kick or just was part of the team. This is also the reason I am entering college to major in nursing in order to help others.”
Lawson will attend and play soccer at Castleton University.
The scholarship’s namesake, Jack Bauman, is considered the father of women’s soccer on Long Island. He was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club, Eastern New York and making sure that girls had as many opportunities to play soccer as boys did in an era when girls playing sports was not as accepted as it is today.
