Wyoming Soccer Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Academic Scholarship. Each recipient will receive a $500 academic scholarship paid to the college where they are enrolled.

We had many applications come in, and as always, they were each highly qualified and deserving. But, our scholarship committee was able to narrow it down to the following three!

Karson Busch

Karson is from Laramie and plans to attend Laramie County Community College and study Sports Management, possibly with a focus on administration or marketing.

Karson will be playing soccer in college. For Karson, soccer has had a massive impact on his life. He has been playing continuously since age four. He feels it has given him many unique opportunities, including traveling around the world, developing a deep appreciation of the game and playing for many different coaches and with diverse players. Through soccer, he has developed lifelong friendships.

Karson's current soccer profile includes:

• Three-time Letter Recipient
• 2-Time Team Captain
• Wyoming ODP Player
• 3-Time 4A All Conference
• 2022 USYS West Region ID Camp Attendee

Karson believes his experiences have opened his eyes to a world of possibilities and helped him to become a better person and player. Karson has learned two primary lessons: 1) There is ALWAYS room for improvement, and 2) Soccer is loved worldwide. Karson says that one of the best parts about playing soccer is the friends he has made along the way. Being a part of different teams and working with multiple coaches has taught him a lot. The different roles he has assumed on these teams has helped him develop leadership skills, and he has been able to apply those skills in both club and high school soccer. His drive to succeed, his willingness to compete and his hard work will no doubt make Karson successful along whatever path he may find himself on, and we are so proud to support him in his academic endeavors!

Emma Prior

Emma is from Sheridan and plans to attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. She will be focused on pre-occupational therapy with a concentration on exercise science and a minor in general special education.

Emma describes soccer as "life". Some of her most vivid memories from childhood involve soccer, whether it's watching her grandfather trip over the soccer ball as he played with his grandchildren, Arsenal games being on the TV as a child, and playing with her older sister in the backyard when she was little. She was assigned "assistant coach" as a preschooler as she traveled to her older sister's games. As soon as she was old enough, she was playing! Emma says soccer makes her the best person she can be.

Emma's soccer profile includes:

• 3-Time Wyoming 4A All-Conference
• 2022 All State Honorable Mention
• 4A East Regional Runner's Up (2022)
• Three-time Letter Recipient
• September 2022 - Wyoming Soccer Spotlighted Player
• 2022 Wyoming Soccer Player of the Year
• 2024 Wyoming Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
• Wyoming ODP Player
• Wyoming 307 Select Player
• 2022 USYS West Region ID Camp Attendee

Emma is passionate about TOPSoccer and founded the program in Sheridan. Her recent commitment to play at Rocky Mountain College is in part due to their community service and the work the team does in the local community. This includes involvement with the Billings TOPSoccer program on a weekly basis, which will mean Emma can continue spreading her love off soccer with the local kids in the Billings community. Soccer has shaped Emma into the person she has become and given her the the chance to make an impact on her community, and both she and Wyoming Soccer are grateful for that.

Bethany Strand

Bethany is from Casper and attends Kelly Walsh High School. She plans to attend Casper College and will be studying athletic training or nursing. She will also be playing soccer.

Bethany is a multi-sport athlete and dabbled in several sports before she felt confident and comfortable in one of them - soccer. She started early at the age of three. She found it confusing and challenging at first, but eventually she had discovered "her sport". Despite the challenges and obstacles that got in the say, her dad always had one special question, "Bethany, why do you play soccer?" Her instant response was always, "Because I love it." This reminder kept her in the game no matter what.

Bethany's soccer profile includes:

• 3-Time Wyoming 4A All Conference
• 2-Time Wyoming 4A All State
• 4A State Champions (2023)
• 3-Time Wyoming Soccer State Cup Champions (Casper Blades)
• Wyoming ODP
• Wyoming 307 Select
• 2021 USYS West Region ID Camp Attendee

Bethany has made her best friends through soccer. She considers her teammates like family, and soccer and her friends have made Bethany a better person. She credits soccer for teaching her core life skills such as teamwork, perseverance and communication. When things get hard or Bethany, she finds herself heading to the pitch. It's the one place she knows will make her happy and bring her comfort and a sense of home. She is excited for this next chapter to start with a soccer ball at her feet! We are happy to be able to support Bethany in her dream and that we have played a small part in helping her get there!

CONGRATULATIONS TO KARSON, EMMA & BETHANY!