Photo by Jeffrey Auger.
Nieves, Di Saverio Formally Honored at 2019 NJYS Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health
East Windsor, N.J. (Feb. 20, 2019) ― New Jersey Youth Soccer recently hosted its 31st Annual NJYS Awards Dinner presented by RWJBarnabas Health, where many players, coaches and members of the soccer community were celebrated at the Pines Manor in Edison, N.J. Included in the ceremony was the announcement of the 2018 Brett Fenster Memorial Scholarship winners, with Jianna Nieves and Anthony Di Saverio receiving the honors.
This scholarship was created in memory of Brett Fenster, who played soccer from the age of five until he graduated from high school. He began participating in the Recreation Program in West Windsor before advancing to play travel and high school soccer. His love for the sport soon flourished, along with his interest in the arts and humanity. Fenster passed away in 2010 at the age of 23, at which time the scholarship was enacted.
Jianna Nieves started playing recreation soccer at five-years-old for Clark Soccer Club. As she got older, she began to play with the Clark Soccer Club Inter-County Program and with the Westfield Soccer Association during the summer.
Nieves has dealt with asthma throughout her life, which has made playing soccer quite difficult at times. Despite what could be considered a setback, she consistently worked hard to keep improving as a player, which eventually led to her receiving her varsity letter at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, N.J. Her determination even saw her gain better control of her asthma and overall health. She has carried that same demeanor with her into the classroom and additionally donates her time to community initiatives. This fall, she will take that positive attitude into her freshman year of college.
Anthony Di Saverio has overcome some incredible diversity in his life. He has broken both legs, broken his arm once and had surgical procedures conducted on his left knee due to a length discrepancy in his leg that was caused by a birth defect. After the latter surgery, he had to learn how to walk and run again, and he now wears an outer lift on his right shoe because, unfortunately, the operation was unsuccessful. Due to his injuries, Di Saverio had to be homeschooled for multiple times during his junior and senior year of high school, and the Holmdel native has spent a total of 18 weeks in physical therapy.
One driving force for Di Saverio has always been his love for the game of soccer, and it served as motivation for him to overcome his injuries. He has been a member of back-to-back state championships at Holmdel High School, with the team compiling a 43-1-2 record over the past two years. He now looks to conduct himself with the same determination and focus as he begins his higher education this fall.
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