By Kayla J. Marsh
Staff Writer
HAZLET – The Hazlet United Soccer Association prides itself on developing and teaching youngsters the game of soccer.
This local nonprofit also seeks to reward its students of the game.
The Hazlet United Soccer Association (HUSA), founded in 1971, is encouraging local high school students to submit an application for two $500 scholarships, which will be awarded to one male and one female student each.
“This is something we have been doing for a while and it is great to put something out there to these kids,” said John Granite, board secretary for HUSA.
Applications are available through www.hazletsoccer.org, or can be competed and emailed to the attention of John Granite at granitejr4@comcast.net by March 23.
To compete for the scholarship, open to township residents only, applicants must be a high school senior who is graduating and planning on attending college, currently on a high school soccer team, whether varsity or junior varsity, and had their soccer development and played on a recreation or travel team with HUSA for a minimum of four years.
“The awards are going to be given out at Raritan High School and I think this is just a great way to show recognition for the dedication the students have put toward the sport and being a high school senior who has worked hard towards graduating,” Granite said.
Founded in 1971, the Hazlet United Soccer Association is a volunteer organization that helps to develop the skills and talents of youth, ages four through 19 who are interested in playing soccer.
Founded on the belief that soccer is a year-round sport, HUSA offers three programs to meet the needs of youth in the area – recreational and travel, which are conducted in the fall and spring, and indoor, which runs from January to March at the Tab Ramos Sports Center USA in Aberdeen.
There is also a “Peanuts” program for the youngest of players.
“I think the scholarship is great a resume builder,” Granite said. “You go to apply for a job and you say that you won the HUSA scholarship award and … it shows you earned something.
“The students can put the money towards their college education in maybe purchasing books or some types of supplies or whatever else they choose to use it towards that will help them along during their freshman year.
“We want to give back to the community and this is how we do it and I do believe we need more things like this.
