Calling All Student-Athletes: Your Journey Starts Here!
Applications Open October 28 2025 – January 31, 2026
Are you a soccer player with a passion for excellence both on and off the field? The Giovanni Vitrano Foundation is offering $10,000 in scholarships to exceptional student-athletes like you. Take the first step towards your college dreams – apply now and let your achievements shine!
Meet our Past Winners
We are proud to have awarded scholarships to a diverse group of deserving student-athletes.
Uriel Carillo
John Paul II
Uriel, a first-generation Mexican-American student with a 4.7 GPA, exemplifies resilience and dedication. As salutatorian of his class, he will graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree. Beyond academics, Uriel devoted his summers to teaching migrant children to read and write, helping one student advance 6 grade levels in reading in a single summer. On the soccer field, coaches describe him as “humble” and someone who “will not be outworked.” His commitment to lifting others while excelling academically and athletically truly embodies Gio’s spirit.
Gray Burleson
Maclay School
Gray maintains a stellar 4.63 GPA while serving as Student Government President and captain of the Maclay girls’ soccer team. She founded “Center Forward,” an organization that donates sports equipment to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Gray led her team with 15 goals this season, and coaches praise her consistency and willingness to adapt to different positions on the field. Her essay on learning to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past demonstrated remarkable maturity and perspective.
Kyndal Smith
Chiles High School
As team captain and defensive anchor for Chiles, Kyndal has earned recognition as a First Team All-Big Bend Player and FACA All-State Team member. Maintaining a 4.1 GPA while managing test anxiety, Kyndal has signed to play Division II soccer at Valdosta State University. Her coaches describe her as “dynamic” with game-changing abilities, noting her exceptional leadership skills and detailed approach to her college search process. Kyndal’s essay on servant leadership highlighted how she applies lessons from soccer to her work with Special Olympics.
Martina Silva
Florida High
Martina Silva, with a 4.65 GPA and leadership roles in prestigious societies like NHS, showcases a unique blend of academic brilliance and athletic talent. Born in Chile and a dynamo in Florida High’s soccer scene, Martina’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Her work volunteering at the Tom Brown Animal Shelter underscores her commitment to community service.
Lawre May
Maclay School
A Maclay School standout with a 4.52 GPA bound for Auburn, her academic and athletic prowess is just the beginning. Lawre shines across multiple disciplines, participating in National Art Society, Key Club, and more, while also excelling in lacrosse, tennis, and cheerleading. Her dedication has earned her multiple student of the year awards and a place on the Tallahassee Community College Dean’s List.
Meg Roper
Leon High School
Meghan Roper, heading to Auburn with a 3.6 GPA, exemplifies leadership as the President of the Dance Marathon and Anchor Club, significantly boosting fundraising efforts. Her role as Leon High School’s soccer team captain and participation in Rho Kappa and the Interact Club highlight her multifaceted involvement and dedication to service.
Jose Gonzalez
Chiles High School
Jose co-founded the Physics Club and participated in the Science Olympiad, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and more. He led the Chiles Boys’ Soccer Team to the 2022 Gio Cup Championship and the 2022-23 District Championship. Jose is attending Penn.
Betrice Drayton
Rickards High School
Betrice is a talented soccer player who scored 41 goals in 14 games this season, ranking as one of only two girls in Leon County with 40+ goals. She is also an ABC 27 Scholar-Athlete of the Week award recipient and is attending West Florida College.
RJ Hosay
Maclay School
RJ was the Editor-in-Chief of The Andalusian School Newspaper and a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and All-Florida Scholastic Press Association. He scored 44 goals in his varsity soccer career at Maclay and was named ABC 27 Scholar-Athlete of the Week. RJ is attending Florida.
Alejandro Alonso
Gadsden County High School
Alejandro is the second family member to graduate high school and the first to attend college. He was the Secretary of the Gadsden Future Farmers of America. Alejandro, a Second-Team All-Big Bend midfielder, held a 3.6 GPA and plans to attend Florida State University to study Criminology.
Maddie Kopka
SAIL High School/Florida High Soccer
Maddie is the 2022 All-Big Bend Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Maddie overcame physical challenges to persevere to become an elite soccer player in our area. She achieved a 3.9 GPA and now plays at Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Ethan Stewart
Leon High School
A 2022 Big Bend-All Star on Leon High School’s soccer team and former teammate of Giovanni Vitrano, Ethan held a 3.9 GPA. Ethan now plays soccer at Southwestern Assemblies of God University while studying Children’s Ministry.
What to know before you begin
Applications are open October 28, 2025, through January 31, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
All student-athletes who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Played soccer at the Varsity High School or equivalent club level.
- Is a graduating member of the Class of 2026.
- Have a 3.2 GPA or higher as of January 31, 2026.
- Reside in the Tallahassee, FL area. This area includes Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Jackson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Lafayette, Suwannee, and Hamilton counties in Florida.
What we look for
We’re seeking exceptional students who excel both in the classroom and on the soccer field. Our ideal candidates possess:
- Drive: Students who go the extra mile in their academic and athletic pursuits.
- Leadership: Students who are role models amongst their peers.
- Resilience: Students who have overcome challenges to pursue a college education.
- Community Engagement: Well-rounded students who are active in their school and community.
- Impact: Students for whom our scholarship would make a meaningful difference in their educational journey.
- Academic Achievements: Students who have excelled academically, achieving strong grades and participating in honor societies or other scholastic organizations.
What To Expect
- Time Commitment: Expect to spend about 30-45 minutes on our streamlined online questionnaire.
- Save Functionality: You can save your progress at the bottom of each page. By doing so, you will be emailed a link to continue your application at a later time. Avoid refreshing the browser without saving.
- Information Required: Provide basic contact info and details about your academic and athletic milestones. We will ask for your FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI). Please have this information ready if you have already completed your FAFSA. If you have not completed your FAFSA yet but plan to do so before January 31, please save your application and return to enter it before submittal. If you do not plan to complete your FAFSA by January 31, please proceed with the application without that information for now. You may be asked for it later.
- Essay Submission: On the final page, please upload a short essay in accordance with the guidelines below.
- References: You will be asked for three references, including a soccer coach, a teacher, and one more of your choice (excluding relatives). You will need their phone number and email so we can contact them. Please take time to select references that can really tell your story. References play a big role in our selection process.
- Deadline: January 31, 2026.
- Evaluation: Our process comprises two phases. Phase I involves evaluating your application and essay to select finalists. In Phase II, we’ll contact your listed references for further evaluation. You will be notified of your status at the end of each phase, along with timelines for any next steps.
Essay Instructions
This application does require a short, three-paragraph essay. You can prepare your essay and submit it when you reach the designated page in your application.
Topic: Describe a lesson you have learned from playing soccer and share a concrete example where you applied these learnings in everyday life.
Ensure your essay fits the following format:
- First Paragraph: Introduce the lesson you gained from playing soccer and detail the circumstances under which you learned it.
- Second Paragraph: Illustrate a specific scenario where you applied this lesson outside the soccer field.
- Third Paragraph: Discuss how you foresee this lesson guiding your actions and decisions post-high school.
Additional requirements:
File Format: Your essay should be submitted as a .pdf, .doc, or .docx file.
Writing Quality: Ensure your essay is well-organized, free of spelling and grammatical errors, and divided into clear paragraphs.
Pro Tip #1 – Be unique: To make your essay memorable, be specific in your examples and consider sharing a brief story that encapsulates your experience. While it’s common for applicants to mention lessons like “hard work” or “teamwork”, try to offer a unique lesson that sets you apart from others.
Pro Tip #2 – Don’t have AI write your essay. Can AI help you write an essay that checks the boxes? Sure. But can it help you stand out among a competitive field of applicants? In our experience, no. AI-generated essays often sound generic and, quite frankly, just like all the others. Your goal should be to stand out amongst the crowd. AI can be a valuable writing tool (use it to help organize your essay or ask it to perform a peer review, for instance, but don’t rely solely on it to write the essay. You likely won’t advance far in the process if you do.