Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 30
Value of Time Served: $254
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Soccer
School: Cohasset High School
Date: January 5, 2022
Location:
Cohasset High School
Pond Street, Cohasset
MA
About:
Mia Froio, one of the captains of the girl’s soccer team, connected with the athletic director, Steve Rotundi, to introduce and get approval for the event. She also worked with girl’s head coach, Deb Beal to plan game details. Mia and her co-captain, Gracyn Lord promoted the girl’s game. They communicated with their teammates and made sure they all had the same pink socks.
Sam Seem, one of the captains of the boy’s soccer team, used social media to promote the boys event and communicated with his teammates to encourage them to spread the word. He purchased and gave out pink socks for the team to wear at the game. He also helped make signs, set up before the game and made sure the timing was ok with boy’s head coach, Jim Willis. Lucas Federle and Kevin Federle the other two captains, helped promote the event.
The players on both teams were really excited to meet their “littles” and chatted with them as they warmed up. They each got a picture with their “little” and it was fun to see them interact. The boys game had a half-time mini soccer game that the littles played that had the crowd cheering. The players also encouraged them from their half-time huddles.The girls game had a half-time competition where fans purchased tennis balls to win a cash prize if they threw the balls on the field and were closest to the target. The prize was a percentage of the money taken in by tennis ball sales. Senior, James Appleton, who won, gave his winnings back to the cause, which was amazing!
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I’ve attached the proposal Mia (Froio) submitted to the school and boosters for approval during the Fall. Once approved, Mia, with the assistance of the girls & boys captains, provided support in promoting the event through social media and brainstormed unique ideas (games, contests) to help create a memorable evening while raising money. Having been directly involved in helping organize “The girls/boys Littles” and matching them with their Varsity Players (players were warming up) I was overwhelmed with the kindness the varsity players showed these 3rd and 4th graders. As simple as bending down, and talking to them, to shaking their hands and holding their hands as they walked across soccer field during the announcements, it was a wonderful experience for all parties involved. Bringing the community together and filling the stands, especially given the impacts of COVID, was moving, and having The Littles cheer on their varsity player during the game was amazing!
With an ultimate goal of creating a Littles Program tradition at Cohasset HS, Mia just scheduled a new event for Basketball where she is also serving as Captain. The Basketball Littles game will be held on February 13. Not only are registrations nearly full, there are several basketball “Littles” who also participated in the Soccer Littles!
Our students have received tremendous support from the Soccer and Basketball Coaching Staffs, along with the School Administration. In particular, “The Littles Game” was mentioned by our principal, Brian Scott, during The National Honor Society Induction as being a perfect example of the pillars of NHS. Each of our soccer captains is a member of NHS: Gracyn Lord, Mia Froio, Sam Seem, Lucas Federle & Kevin Federle.
Lastly, supporting efforts to find a cure for cancer is very important to Mia, having lost her aunt and grandmother. Also, our coaching staff has been directly impacted so hosting the event in October for Breast Cancer Awareness was important. All proceeds raised from the Basketball event will also be donated to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Hours: Captains: 5 hours each. I’d estimate Mia has put in at least 30 hours to date, and will continue to be involved with the basketball, and tennis in Spring. It might be difficult to evaluate this event in hours only because of the long-lasting impact it will have on the community, particularly if these events occur year over year.
Thank you for your consideration of these these student-athletes.
