By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Osceola High senior soccer player Allanfredo Santos has been offered a soccer scholarship to the Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy in Leeds, England.

Santos and his brother, Jeanfred Santos, also a senior, helped Osceola reach the regional finals, marking the best season ever for a Kowboys soccer team.

Grissel McGarry, a volunteer who assists local families in finding scholarships, said that Allanfredo is one of only 25 students to be accepted to the Richmond Academy.

McGarry is seeking sponsors for Santos, who must make a $1,200 deposit for incidental expenses to the academy to hold his spot until the Aug. 6 orientation. He also must raise funds for transportation expenses.

The Santos family recently was notified that the home it is renting is under foreclosure and that it must relocate.

Jeanfred Santos, the Kowboys goalie, recently was offered a spot on the Orlando City Lions developmental team.

“They are wonderful players and it means so much to their family that they have these opportunities. So many talented young people have the ability, but not the opportunity, to develop their skills, and we lose them,” McGarry, a retired Osceola County School District administrator, said.

McGarry can be contacted at 407-873-8178.