Six awardees earn over $11,000 in scholarships from GFA donors

01 Oct Six awardees earn over $11,000 in scholarships from GFA donors

“On behalf of Guam Football Association, I would like to congratulate all scholarship recipients on their achievements not only on the football pitch, but in the classroom as well and their commitment to continuing education,” said Joe Cepeda, GFA General Secretary. “I hope that each of the recipients see the value of their hard work and efforts. Football is not just a sport, but also can be a vehicle for success, as our young athletes are seeing with increasing opportunities.

“I also would like to thank all sponsorship donors for their generous contributions that will directly assist our future generation achieve their goals in life. The support is so vital for the young student-athletes,” Cepeda added.

Seven scholarships were developed under the AHEAD Program, with varying amounts and opportunities for applicants.

Shirley Lai Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000 each, two male and two female recipients)

• Jariah San Gil
• Kyle Halehale
• Jada Han
• Giselle Dahilig

Grace Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000 for one female recipient)

• Giselle Dahilig

Teddy “Ted” Cipollone Scholarship Fund A ($1,000 each, one male and one female recipient)

• Jariah San Gil
• Jada Han

Teddy “Ted” Cipollone Scholarship Fund B ($500 each, two male and two female recipients)

• Giselle Dahilig
• Kyle Halehale
• Jinae Teria
• Kai Pahl

Ashenafi Lom Foundation Scholarship Fund ($250 each, one male and one female recipient)

• Jariah San Gil
• Jinae Teria

GFA Grassroots Scholarship ($500 each, one male and one female recipient)

• Jariah San Gil
• Giselle Dahilig

A4G Scholarship Fund ($250 each, one male and one female recipient)

• Jariah San Gil
• Giselle Dahilig

Lester Layco Memorial Scholarship Fund ($250 each, one male and one female recipient)

• Jariah San Gil
• Jada Han

Jariah San Gil earned six different scholarships totaling $3,250. The 2023 Father Duenas Memorial School graduate currently is enrolled at Guam Community College. San Gil played youth soccer for the ASC Trust Islanders and also is a national referee and referee mentor with GFA. San Gil also was one of three goalkeepers called up the Guam U20 National Team that competed at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in September 2022.

Giselle Dahilig earned five different scholarships totaling $3,250. The 2023 Guam High School graduate currently is enrolled at University of Guam. Dahilig currently plays for the Bank of Guam Strykers FC and was called up to the Guam U20 Women’s National Team that competed in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in March this year.

Jada Han earned three different scholarships totaling $2,250. The 2023 John F. Kennedy High School graduate currently is enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona. Han most recently played for the Islanders FC women’s team and also for the Guam U20 Women’s National Team.

Kyle Halehale earned two different scholarships totaling $1,500. The 2020 Father Duenas Memorial School graduate is in his final undergraduate year at Central Connecticut State University. He currently plays for the university’s soccer team that competes in NCAA Div. I’s Northeast Conference. Halehale has captained various Guam youth national teams and currently is one of 23 players called up to the Matao, Guam National Team, for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26™ and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Joint Preliminary Qualification Round 1 against Singapore.

Jinae Teria earned two different scholarship totaling $750. The 2021 Tiyan High School graduate is in her third year at the United States Merchant Marines Academy and was part of the first-ever women’s intercollegiate soccer team created at USMMA. Teria played for the Bank of Guam Strykers FC and was called up to the Masakåda, Guam Women’s National Team for international matches.

Kai Pahl earned one $500 scholarship. The 2023 Father Duenas Memorial School Graduate is currently enrolled at Saint Martin’s University. He currently plays for the university’s soccer team that competes in NCAA Div. II’s Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Pahl played for the Wings FC was the captain of Guam’s U20 National Team in 2022. Pahl was most recently called up to the Guam U23 National Team for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers held earlier this month.

The student-athletes were recognized with certificates during a presentation ceremony in front of family members, scholarship donors and GFA Executives. Students in universities abroad were able to tune in online via Zoom during the event. Awardees were chosen by different independent selection committees for each scholarship.

Scholarship donors were also recognized with certificates for their valuable contributions to student-athletes making the transition into higher education.