FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team signed Faith, a member from Team IMPACT, to their team. To mark the occasion, the team held a celebration at the field house, where they made signs congratulating Faith, inflated balloons numbered "3" and "7" indicating her new jersey number, and held a dance party.
Faith is a 12-year old girl who loves animals, music and dancing. Her energetic attitude and infectious smile were among the many characteristics that drew head coach Manya Puppione and the rest of the team to learn more about her life and make her part of the Patriot program.
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit organization that makes connections with children who have different life abilities and connects them with collegiate sports teams in order to create a support system for each other. Team IMPACT's values include teaching empathy, practicing camaraderie, promoting resilience, living with boldness, and being a champion together.
"We are all faced with challenges, some more than others," said Coach Puppione. "We learn and practice courage as we lift each other up and build the tools to sustain each other socially and mentally. Children like Faith deserve a world that values growth as well as dignity and authenticity."
After the dance party, the team brought Faith and her family to the team room, where her signing ceremony would take place. In the room, Faith sat front and center behind a long George Mason-decorated table. It had her name card, team gear, and a letter of intent. Sitting with her at the table included her mother and father, Jess and Geoff, younger sister Kaylie, and Chelsey, her caregiver. The players and coaches formally introduced themselves and expressed their excitement for the upcoming season with Faith on their team.
After the ceremony, the soccer team would begin their morning training. They invited Faith and her family to stay and watch her new teammates prepare for the next soccer season.
"We are stronger together because we express value where we see it and know it is needed" said Coach Puppione in her closing remarks. "We are so excited to be able to have Faith and her family join our own Mason women's soccer family."
Click here to learn more about Team IMPACT
