VYI Banquet Celebrates Scholarship and Award Recipients

Vienna Youth Inc. (VYI) recently held its annual awards banquet to issue college scholarships to graduating high school seniors and recognize Most Valuable Players in each individual sport. In addition, VYI awarded the Jonathan Forde Leadership Award, the Matthew Cooper Scholarship, and inducted a new member into the VYI Hall of fame.

The VYI Scholarship Program began in 1997 with a budget of $4,500.00. This year the VYI Board of Directors allocated $30,000 for scholarship awards. The funds utilized to pay for the scholarships are derived from the dividends and interest related to an endowment fund and donations from generous families. Any former VYI participant who meets the published academic and participation criteria is eligible to apply. The goal of the scholarship program is to reward faithful VYI participants, and to recognize good citizenship, academic achievement, and community service, as well as athletic prowess.

This year, VYI awarded 27 $1000 college scholarships at the awards banquet. In addition, 10 Most Valuable Players were recognized for individual athletic accomplishments in the various VYI sports. A complete list of scholarship recipients and MVPs is included at the end of this release.

The Jonathan Forde Award

Jonathan Michael Jex-Blake Forde, a Vienna resident, was a long-time participant in a variety of VYI sports and particularly enjoyed Lacrosse, which he played at Gonzaga College High School. After high school and college, Jonathan was a combat engineer with the Virginia National Guard and was in training for his second tour in Iraq when he died unexpectedly of meningitis. Jonathan was an accomplished athlete in high school. In the military he was a steadfast soldier who led his troops with courage and fortitude. Jonathan led by example. To his friends he was humble, kind and selfless. He had a big heart and he always gave all he had in every situation. Jonathan had a wonderful sense of humor and the gift to make people laugh. He had a positive attitude, even in the darkest moments, and he served his country with great honor. VYI is pleased make this award annually to the graduating varsity athlete, who most exemplifies the positive characteristics displayed by Jonathan during his short lifetime. The 2016 recipient of the Jonathan Forde Award was Ryan Partridge from James Madison High School.

The Matthew Cooper Scholarship

Matt Cooper (January 11, 1995 - November 25, 2011) was known for his unbridled enthusiasm. He had a heart of gold, an unforgettable smile, and an uncanny ability to make friends with a wide range of people. He was a great listener and really enjoyed learning about people and new things. He loved sports, including VYI basketball and football. Matt was a talented musician, who sang and played multiple instruments including the guitar, piano, ukulele and kazoo, and used those gifts to make others smile.

The Matthew Cooper Scholarship was set up by friends to honor Matt's memory by awarding a $1000 college scholarship through VYI to a qualified high school senior who embodies some of Matt's most memorable qualities; his enthusiasm, his well-roundedness, and his love for people and sports. The 2016 recipient of the Matthew Cooper Scholarship was Daniel Ungerleider from James Madison High School

VYI Hall of Fame

The 2016 inductee for the VYI Hall of Fame was Rick Lipscomb. Rick has served VYI for 40 years as a coach, commissioner and fundraiser.

2016 Jonathan Forde Award - Ryan Partridge, James Madison High School

2016 Matthew Cooper Scholarship - Daniel Ungerleider, James Madison High School

2016 VYI Hall of Fame Inductee – Rick Lipscomb

2016 Scholarship Winners:

1. Morgan H. Booth – George C. Marshall High School

2. Michael J. Briody – George C. Marshall High School

3. Drew A. Cameron – George C. Marshall High School

4. Annie Y. Cowman – George C. Marshall High School

5. Patrick W. Davis – Oakton High School

6. Mallory M. Dyson – James Madison High School

7. Allison K. Fogel – James Madison High School

8. Maura B. Forde – George C. Marshall High School

9. Jared M. Gurdak – George C. Marshall High School

10. Kendal S. Hall – James Madison High School

11. Bryan S. Harthun – James Madison High School

12. Julia E. Hoy – James Madison High School

13. Joshua M. Hurlburt – George C. Marshall High School

14. Monica M. Lannen – South Lakes High School

15. Robert H. Leap – George C. Marshall High School

16. Jelani R. Murray – George C. Marshall High School

17. Matthew Ragano – James Madison High School

18. Alexander J. Rumingan – Falls Church High School

19. Jaqueline E. Schultz – James Madison High School

20. Julianne G. Schultz – James Madison High School

21. Connor J. Smith – James Madison High School

22. Travis Stephens – James Madison High School

23. Layne E. Stikeleather – Oakton High School

24. Peter Sullivan – Paul VI High School

25. Phillip M. Sullivan – James Madison High School

26. Hailey E. Swaak – James Madison High School

27. Daniel J. Ungerleider – James Madison High School

2016 MVPs:

1. Rugby – Nate Corsi – Oakton High School

2. Cheer – Annie Cowman – George C. Marshall High School

3. Girls’ Lacrosse – Rebecca Harrington – Flint Hill School

4. Football – Joshua Hurlburt – George C. Marshall High School

5. Boys’ Lacrosse – Christopher McLallen – James Madison High School

6. Girls’ Basketball – Aidan McWeeney – James Madison High School

7. Wrestling – TK Megonigal – James Madison High School

8. Boys’ Basketball – Daniel Ungerleider – James Madison High School

9. Boys’ Basketball – Tyler White – George C. Marshall High School

10. Track & Field – Morgan Wittrock – James Madison High School

Vienna Youth, Inc. (VYI) is a not-for-profit youth organization that offers sports programs to children from 5-18 years of age in the Vienna, Virginia and the surrounding Northern Virginia area. VYI's programs include Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Cheerleading, Track, Cross Country, Wrestling, Volleyball, and Rugby. Over VYI’s 45 seasons, 75,000 boys and girls have participated in its sports programs.