Congratulations to Michael D’Acquisto and Cal Skwerski for being named the 2014 winners of the Elite Soccer Community Organization's (ESCO) Inaugural College Scholarships! Both winners will receive a $500 college scholarship to go towards tuition at Carroll University, where Michael will play soccer, and Miami University (OH), where Cal will attend, in the Fall.
Michael and Cal both graduated from Rolling Meadows High School where they served as captains of the Varsity Soccer Team. Both were part of the National Honor Society and Interact, a Rotary Club for youth. Both were also active in ESCO’s Youth Leadership Program, participating in its various service projects, including the Food Drive and Relay for Life. Elite Soccer pre-K and Juniors players could also see Michael and Cal on the field as junior coaches, when they were not working as referees.
Michael was part of Mighty Mustang Mentors and Senior Leaders at school as well, which helped develop his leadership skills while being a role model to underclassmen. His other activities in school included Adagio (dance program) and Stampede (school spirit club), to name a few.
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Cal was the recipient of the 2014 Robert J. Hannon Leadership Award, and was recognized by IL State Representative Tom Morrison and Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz for community service. Cal also tutored elementary school kids, was the manager of the RMHS girls soccer and basketball teams, and took 11 AP courses during his tenure there.
The ESCO Scholarship Fund was established to support students who have participated in programs affiliated with Elite Soccer in their academic endeavors in post-secondary education.
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Winners were chosen primarily based upon the candidates possessing the following criteria: (1) citizenship, leadership, good sportsmanship and have participated activities that demonstrate a true role model in the community, (2) a demonstrated love and passion for the game of soccer throughout the candidate’s participation career. Also included in the criteria was an individual’s academic/scholastic and associated honors as well as any outside (non-school related) honors.
In Michael’s scholarship essay he wrote, “ESCO has taught me how to be, and become a leader, not only in soccer, but in every day life allowing me to make a positive difference. I look forward to developing young soccer players into positive role models.”
Cal wrote, “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with kids as young as I was when I first started playing. My goal is to provide the same atmosphere so that the youth in my community, and in the Elite community, have the same opportunity to enjoy soccer that I had that Elite gave to me.”
Both winners will be honored at the dinner program at ESCO’s 3rd Annual Golf Outing on Friday, July 18th at Old Orchard Country Club.
ESCO is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed by Elite Soccer in 2010 as a way to build community by developing youth through soccer in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. For more information about ESCO, visit www.elitesoccercommunity.org.
