OL Reign Academy Announces Boeing Scholarship Winners

OL Reign announced today that OL Reign Academy players Avah Snodgrass, Tatiwyat Buck, and Arianna Ortiz are this year’s recipients of the Boeing Scholarship for young players of color. This scholarship program was developed in 2020 through OL Reign’s partnership with Boeing and will cover the players’ participation fees in OL Reign Academy for the 2021/2022 season.

The Boeing Scholarship program was developed as an effort to begin addressing the underrepresentation of girls of color in youth soccer.

“Our partnership with Boeing is much more than their logo on our jerseys,” said Amy Griffin, OL Reign Academy Executive Director. “Their intentional effort to support the OL Reign Academy with more opportunities for underrepresented female youth players is exceptional.”

“We are proud to support the development of these talented players, as part of our Boeing Scholarships,” said Bill McSherry, vice president of Government Operations at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We have a deep commitment to equity and inclusion and look forward to seeing the great things these bright and talented athletes of color will achieve in the future.”

Snodgrass, Buck and Ortiz expressed gratitude to Boeing for sponsoring the scholarship program that allows them to keep playing soccer. According to Griffin, the girls have already paid it forward with their actions in the community.

“They are not quiet bystanders, but active advocates for racial justice, helping our staff and players to better understand the past so we can all be better moving forward. We are proud to be connected to Boeing by aligning in a real way with the values important to our club,” said Griffin.

“I have multiple dreams when it comes to soccer,” said Snodgrass. “I am going into my first year of high school which is a completely different pace and level than middle school. I hope to get recognized by colleges by my junior year. My dream colleges are UCLA, Stanford, and Santa Clara. I would love to accomplish my dreams of playing college soccer for a Division I school close to home. Finally, I want to play professional soccer for the U.S National Team or to play for professionally for OL Reign.”

Snodgrass continued, “It means a lot to win a scholarship for the sport that I love to play. I have worked very hard to be where I am and to get recognized means a lot. I love the steps that the OL Reign Academy is taking to make diversity one of their priorities. It means so much to see people like me out on the field, achieving their dreams and showing that people of color can make their dreams come true.”

“For me, the ultimate goal is to play at the highest levels possible, whether that means starting on my varsity team, playing for a Division I University and professionally, said Buck. “Growing up, I was never able to look up to Indigenous athletes playing soccer at the highest levels possible. It was only when Madison Hammond, the first Native American in the NWSL, joined the league that I was able to have a role model that showed me if I work hard enough, I could play professionally. A dream of mine would be to become the role model I never had as a young child. Seeing Madison Hammond play for OL Reign makes me feel that if I work hard, I can too, and I want to be that role model for others.”

“Winning this scholarship means I get to keep playing soccer for OL Reign Academy. It allows me to focus on learning from my coaches and playing with my teammates and overall empowering me to grow as a soccer player and a whole person. It also makes me feel valued, as an indigenous soccer player. This scholarship gives me the assistance and support to keep playing at a high level and become the role model I wish I had when I was younger,” said Buck.

“One of my biggest goals is definitely to play soccer in college,” said Ortiz. “Of course, if I get the chance and if I work harder, I would love to play professionally one day and maybe even play for OL Reign.”

Ortiz added, “Winning this scholarship means a lot to me. I know that I have more opportunities to grow as a player now. I feel like that was one of the biggest obstacles for me and I feel like I can overcome that now. It motivates me to keep going. I just really want to say thank you so much to Boeing and OL Reign for giving me great opportunity and allowing me to continue to play soccer.”

Snodgrass, Buck and Ortiz will be recognized at halftime of OL Reign’s match at Cheney Stadium on August 21st against NJ/NY Gotham FC.