"Being selected as the Class of 2021’s recipient of The Katie Bluhm Memorial Scholarship is a true honor, and something that I am incredibly proud of. I’m so appreciative of the opportunity to continue Katie’s legacy as a fearless athlete, positive presence, and genuine, selfless soul. Although I never had the opportunity to know Katie, I think that this scholarship along with the effort that goes into maintaining her legacy is a true testament to her noble character. I strive to inspire and influence the people I love the way Katie clearly impacted those close to her. Like Katie, I have been very involved in Manhasset athletics- I’ve played soccer, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, and track during my high school career. Although my passions are diverse and I’ve been exposed to a wide variety of sports, soccer has a very special place in my heart. Soccer has always been a huge part of my life, whether it be at Sunday morning intramural scrimmages at Shelter Rock, or on the high school turf playing for the varsity team under the bright, stadium lights. Soccer has shown me the power of perseverance, the value of hard work, and the ability to work with others in pursuit of a common goal. These qualities have translated into my academic and personal lives, and if soccer hadn’t been such a prominent part of my childhood, I wouldn’t be the player or person I am today. Most notably, soccer has given me the opportunity to further Katie’s remarkable legacy, which extends far beyond our small Manhasset community. I am tremendously excited to be attending Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in the SC Johnson College of Business this Fall. With the grit I have acquired through my years of experience on numerous athletic fields, I am confident that I can not only excel in the classroom, but reflect and capture the qualities that made Katie such a unique and memorable individual."

"I am beyond honored to receive this scholarship.  Although I have never met Katie, I can truly see that she was an amazing person and this comes from how she touched so many people’s lives.  From what I learned she seemed to be the person that everyone wanted to be like, the person that everyone wanted to be friends with, and the player every coach wanted 30 of.  She was kind, compassionate, selfless, and never gave up on her dreams and aspirations.  I strive to be just like Katie everyday and hope I can make an impact on others just as she did.  After this tragedy it was truly remarkable to see her friends come together to create this scholarship.  Seeing this made me realize what Manhasset Soccer does for us young women.  Over my years playing on the JV and Varsity soccer teams I have made memories that will last a lifetime and friends that I can always count on to pick me up.  Similar to my friends I can tell that Katie’s friends always did the same for her.  After meeting her loved ones and close friends I was able to see how close their bond was and how they would do anything for each other.  If I had not played soccer in High School my experiences would be very different and I would not be the person I am today.   I have learned more about myself than I ever thought possible because of all the experiences endured.  Over the years my teammates and I have won important games, making it to the county championship and have also had tough losses.  Through each and every game and practice I learned about how to deal with adversity and how to never give up.  As I travel to Drexel University in the fall I will always remember Manhasset Soccer and will continue to honor Katie by keeping her special spirit alive."

"I am so honored to receive the Katie Bluhm Memorial Scholarship. Looking back all the way to my freshman year, it was really heart wrenching learning about Katie's story, but also amazing seeing how her friends came together for her. To have the honor of graduating with this award is something I truly cannot express. Soccer has been a tremendous part of my life for the past 14 years, and I can truly say that playing for the Manhasset Girls Varsity Soccer team changed me not only as a player, but as a person and a leader. Playing with the girls I grew up with, and really experiencing the challenges of our high school years as varsity athletes and students, helped me relate to Katie's friends' passion to want to honor her. I can honestly say that in my 4 years of high school I would not have had the same experience if I had not played varsity soccer. Soccer has taught me more about myself than I ever could have imagined, and I believe that it was my teammates and coaches that have seen me through it all, that shaped me into the person I am today. Being on a team is more than the wins and losses, and Manhasset soccer was a true depiction of comradery and playing for the name on the front of the jersey, more than the number on the back. It was an honor to be named captain my junior and senior year, and to carry on the legacy of so many previous girls who I once looked up to. Coming into a high school team with 4 of my best friends who I have played intense soccer with was so special because every year we went farther than the last, and it was really rewarding to see how we ended, looking back at all the history we had made. Katie, similarly to me, seemed like someone who would really sacrifice for her teammates, and it’s people like her that make me and so many other young girls want to follow in her footsteps. I will never forget my journey with Manhasset soccer, and hope to continue to honor Katie in my endeavors playing D2 soccer for LIU Post. She truly is someone I wish I had the privilege of meeting."

"I feel so honored to have received the Katie Bluhm Memorial Scholarship for the graduating Class of 2017.  Meeting with Katie’s loved ones and learning about her remarkable athleticism, selflessness, and tenacity has been truly inspiring.  Like Katie, I played many sports including lacrosse, volleyball, track, cheer, and fencing, but soccer has always been my favorite.  I started playing soccer when I was five years old, and while growing up with the sport, it has come to hold a very special place in my heart.  Whether chasing the soccer ball as a pack on the Shelter Rock fields with my fellow kindergarteners or executing plays in the Nassau County Playoffs with the Manhasset Varsity team, soccer has allowed me to grow as a player, teammate, and person overall.  Soccer has taught me that working hard and following your passion is infinitely rewarding as you are doing what you love and giving it your all.  Through the support of both my coaches and teammates, I have been able to share many laughs, tears, and memories with the people that have become my second family.  Next Fall, while studying business and playing soccer at Georgetown University, I aspire to keep Kate’s spirit of teamwork and commitment alive on the field and beyond."

"Words cannot express how grateful I am to be awarded this scholarship in honor of Katie. Soccer has always been a very important part of my life.  Through soccer I developed long lasting friendships, and learned what it means to be a team player.  Katie’s story is one of perseverance, and I strive to both play and live by a set of values as strong as hers.  Many of my favorite high school memories come from my time spent on the soccer field. The group developed a closeness fostered by everyone’s shared investment in the team’s goals.  Whether we were sharing laughter during practice or tears after a tough loss, everyone had a crucial role on the team.  The memories I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned from this sport have helped me far beyond the realm of soccer. Through this sport I gained a confidence and a will to try my hardest that will stay with me long after I stop playing.  I’m currently a freshman at Vanderbilt University hoping to major in American Studies and join the club soccer team!"

"I am truly honored to have been chosen as the Class of 2014’s recipient of The Katie Bluhm Memorial Scholarship. I am proud to represent Katie’s legacy as a Manhasset Varsity Soccer Alumna. I started playing basketball, soccer, and softball among other sports at a young age but enjoyed playing goalkeeper in soccer the most. I played for St. Mary’s Elementary and then Manhasset High School, all while playing on various club teams outside of school throughout the metro area. Over the years, I have learned how soccer can relate to the struggles of life, how being on a team working for the same goal can serve as a stable outlet for what is going on in my life.  I enjoyed my time playing with fellow classmates representing our school because on the field and on the bench you could sense that everyone was playing for the good of the team, not to advance individually. I loved that feeling because it was something you don’t always find with club teams, but with a school team, everyone wants to be able to talk about it in the hallway the next day and furthermore, leave their legacy. I am attending Albright College this fall and I am looking forward to playing on the women’s soccer team and studying music business."

"I would like to start out by saying that I am honored to be the second recipient of the Katie Bluhm Memorial Scholarship. I have been playing soccer since kindergarten, playing for Manhasset and many other club teams along the way. Soccer has always been a big part of my life, taught me many lessons and instilled in me crucial values about teamwork, commitment, and handling adversity. I am currently a student at the University of Virginia, majoring in Kinesiology and hoping to one day become a Sports Medicine Physician. However, I have to say that the most unforgettable experiences for me took place while playing for the Manhasset High School Girls Varsity soccer team. I gained about 20 sisters and was lead by two amazing coaches. It was an honor to serve as the captain to such an amazing team for my senior year. I have never felt as close to a team as I felt to that one and I think that is what is so great about soccer. It’s a competitive sport, yet you can really only achieve success if each individual works to make the whole better. I think that this scholarship, memorializing Katie Bluhm, a girl who is remembered for putting others before her and being a “team player”, is the perfect way to honor both a wonderful person and the wonderful qualities of soccer at the same time."

"I have always enjoyed sports, from playing CYO basketball to throwing the discus in track and field. But of all of these activities, my greatest passion has been soccer. Soccer has served as more than just a sport for me; it has taught me lifelong lessons, introduced me to great friends, and has given me many memories. I have been playing soccer since kindergarten and continued through to high school varsity, receiving All Conference, All Class, and All County along the way. However, my proudest moment was when I was made captain of the Manhasset High School Girls Varsity soccer team. Starting in the Fall of 2012 I will be attending Boston University, where I will study business management. It is an honor to be the first recipient of the Katie Bluhm Memorial Scholarship."