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Lady Panther signs to play soccer at Wesleyan College
Diomary
Liberty County High School standout Diomary Rodriguez-Pizarro surrounded by family during a signing ceremony at the school conducted under social distance guidelines.

Liberty County High School Lady Panther soccer player Diomary Rodriguez-Pizarro signed a soccer scholarship last week to attend Wesleyan College. 

The signing took place at the high school among family while still maintaining social distancing protocols due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Rodriguez-Pizarro’s mother, Limary Pizzaro, said she is proud of her daughter. 

She said Diomary was young when she came to the United States and had to overcome the cultural challenges and learn English. She said they’ve also move around a lot due to her father’s military career.

“She overcame all the obstacles that life put her in her way at such a young age and even so she never gave up, every day she got up more eager to learn and she challenged herself,” Limary said.

Diomary said she didn’t start playing soccer until her freshman season. She said she developed her skills at the Liberty County Recreation Department so she would be ready for tryouts.

Hard work has been a constant for the young player, who is also a top notch student, her coach said. 

“Diomary is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached,” Lady Panther soccer coach Ami Whilden said. “She made a decision to have a great senior season and pushed herself to be her best. I never had to ask her to try harder or give more, she gave 100 percent.

“She is an honor graduate and has an impressive academic resume,” the coach added. “She got into every school she applied to and has been offered many academic scholarships. Because she has done so well academically, she was able to be accepted into such a great academic institution. Her acceptance allowed, the school to look at her as a soccer player. Despite ending our season early, she was able to stand out to the coach. “

Diomary, who also played volleyball, said she chose Wesleyan because of academics “and of course the soccer program.”

She said being offered a scholarship was surreal.

“Being able to sign a scholarship despite the difficult times we are facing was incredible,” she said. “It was truly an amazing opportunity that came as a surprise because I never imagined being able to continue playing soccer in college especially since I wasn’t able to finish my senior season.”

“I feel proud that she gets the opportunity to be part of a team and that she will have a team to overcome any other issues,” said her father, Yamil Rodriguez said. “She will have new people to mentor her and she be able to learn to be tough and strong. I also feel proud that her achievements go beyond what mine were when I has a kid. She worked hard to have good grades and learn how to get to be the great person that she has grown to be.” This little girl makes me proud in so many levels and has surprised me always and I know we’re going to share so many others accomplishments that she will get to do as her life continues.”

“Today is a dream come true for her and for us,” her mother added.

 


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