A 10-year veteran of the Kaua‘i Soccer Club was awarded the Kaua‘i Soccer Club/Rusk-McRoberts college scholarship at the club’s year-end tournament, recently in Anahola. Seri Niimi-Burch, graduating with the Kapa‘a High School Class of 2010, was the recipient of the
A 10-year veteran of the Kaua‘i Soccer Club was awarded the Kaua‘i Soccer Club/Rusk-McRoberts college scholarship at the club’s year-end tournament, recently in Anahola.
Seri Niimi-Burch, graduating with the Kapa‘a High School Class of 2010, was the recipient of the scholarship, capping her soccer career on Kaua‘i after 10 years with the KSC and four years at Kapa‘a High School, states a release from the Kaua‘i Soccer Club.
“Seri is one of those players who can read the game, is very reliable and a good team player,” said KSC coach Gwen Tamura. “Seri ended her Kaua‘i soccer career with a hat trick for KSC-Na Anela in its win in the final Kaua‘i Soccer Association Girls Under 18 game.”
Niimi-Burch, the daughter of Ken and Miyoko Niimi-Burch of Anahola, played four years for the Kapa‘a Warriors in the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation, anchoring the center midfield and earning the 2007 Junior Varsity Girls Most Valuable Player award, the 2009 Varsity Rookie of the Year award, and placing in the KIF All Star midfielder position for 2009 and 2010. She also collected four years of the Kapa‘a High School Scholar Athlete awards and a certificate of recognition from the Kaua‘i County Council after helping Kapa‘a at the 2009 and 2010 Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association State Girls Soccer Championships.
“When you look at all Seri has accomplished in the KIF and community soccer, valedictorian, and tutoring, you step back and go ‘Wow!’” said KSC coach Sonny Kaona, also a referee for the KIF and community soccer. “I am so honored to have coached this girl.”
In addition to her soccer achievements, Niimi-Burch was a valedictorian for the Kapa‘a Class of 2010, a member of the Kapa‘a High School National Honor Society, the Limahuli Restoration, Leadership Kaua‘i, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Blood Bank, and also performed beach and campus cleanups while also tutoring at Kapa‘a Elementary School. She was on the Kapa‘a High School Principal’s List for four years, maintaining a Grade Point Average of 4.1.
“Soccer has made me a team player and leader both on and off the field,” Niimi-Burch said. “It’s kept me mentally and physically fit. I’ve enjoyed playing the game and being challenged.”
Niimi-Burch will be heading to Boston University to study biochemistry where she said the experience gained in playing soccer has taught her valuable lessons that she will use to further herself in the future.
Jocelyn Enrique, currently the No. 3 catcher with the University of Hawai‘i softball team, Brittney Carvalho, Erin Pickett, JoAnne Kaona, Waika Oliver and LaRisa Nebre have been former recipients of the KSC/Rusk-McRoberts college scholarships.
