SJGSL offers two scholarships that honor incredible individuals who were dedicated to youth soccer. While they had different impacts on the sport in our area, none of us would be where we are today without them. SJGSL/SJYS continues to remember their immense contribution and honor their legacies through our scholarship program.
Pete Adams Memorial Scholarship
The Pete Adams Memorial Scholarship is in memory of Pete Adams, a man who gave decades of his life to youth soccer. Pete was a parent, a coach, a board member, a mentor, and our voice of reason on the board. Pete had a love for his family and a love for soccer that were amazing. Pete helped usher in the current era of the SJGSL, helping take it from a league always playing catch up to a league on the forefront of programs and events for its members.
Larry Young Memorial Scholarship
SJGSL/SJYS is honored to work with the Young family and introduce a Scholarship in honor of Larry Young. This opportunity will be for 12th graders. Larry was a long-time friend of the SJGSL. He had a passion for mentoring, refereeing, and coaching players throughout his many years in soccer. In his final years on the SJSL board, Larry was instrumental in bringing the boards together and aligning rules and procedures to make things easier for our members. Larry was a youth coach, HS coach, SJSL board member, and Referee. After he left the SJSL board, he dedicated his weekend to being a referee for SJGSL. He would go anywhere and do any game needed, and always loved every minute. Keeping with his belief in teamwork and fair play, we are excited to work together and give back to them in his memory for decades to come.
Founding Forward’s Good Citizen Day Program
South Jersey Girls Soccer League is proud to be a partner organization for Founding Forward’s Good Citizen Day Program. This exciting opportunity awards our members the annual Good Citizenship Award. This Award is very prestigious and impressive on any college application and comes with an amazing array of benefits. Not only will the recipients receive the award and spend the day at amazing civics-based workshops, but they will also be eligible to apply for a scholarship in their senior year. These scholarships can be substantial. There are other requirements, and it is competitive to win, but recipients will be part of a relatively small pool of applicants.
If you are interested or know of an SJGSL member who might be interested in applying, please click here to apply.
The requirements to be considered for the Good Citizenship Award:
- Be a junior in high school (requirement)
- Be a citizen of the United States (requirement)
- Must be available to attend Good Citizen Day on March 25, 2026 (requirement)
- Be a member of the SJGSL in good standing (requirement)
Can be any of the following:
- Current Player in SJGSL
- Current Select Player in SJYS
- Current member of an SJYS Cup team
- Current referee assigned to SJGSL games
- Current licensed coach of an SJGSL team
- Demonstrate hard work and fair play
- Is an active volunteer within your own community
- Have personal attributes of honesty, courage, tolerance, curiosity, and loyalty
- Endeavor to follow and uphold the principles of American patriotism
Good Citizen Day is presented by Founding Forward (formerly the Legacy Foundation). This annual program recognizes and awards nearly 300 high school juniors from the Greater Philadelphia region. The program is a fun, fast-paced, interactive, educational program. Good Citizen Day will begin at the Union League of Philadelphia with workshops and lunch, followed by a visit to the National Constitution Center in the afternoon. The day will culminate with a reception and Awards Banquet in the evening. The Day roughly begins at 9:00 am and ends around 8:30 pm. Once on-site, Founding Forward will cover all transportation, food, and beverage costs. We just need you to show up ready to participate in the day’s activities! Take a look at our most recent Good Citizen Day programs by checking out the following videos:
Please pass this along to anyone that you know who may qualify. All this information, along with the link to the Application, will be posted on our website.
If you have any questions about the Good Citizen Day program or the nomination process, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Talarico at htalarico115@gmail.com. All applications must be submitted by December 31, 2025. All applicants will be notified of their standing by Monday, January 5, 2026.
For direct questions about Good Citizen Day, please contact Maggie Baldridge at BaldridgeM@foundingforward.org or 215-587-5595.