By: Kayla Tomlin

For years the Marietta Community Foundation has awarded the hard-working and dedicated students from Washington County high schools with scholarships.  Because of our donor’s generosity, we are able to help support students in our community as they embark on their higher education journeys. 

In 2017, Embrey Roberts received the Marietta Community Foundation’s, Marietta Soccer League Scholarship. At Marietta High School, Embrey was a starter on the varsity soccer team all four years and played a variety of positions. “My favorite position is definitely defense,” said Roberts. “It’s where I feel the most comfortable and where I have played pretty much my whole life.”

 Embrey received numerous soccer awards including league, district, and state honors.  As a long time active player in the Marietta Soccer League, Embrey says that it was a “no brainer” to take the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

The Marietta Soccer League Scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship available to one male and one female player each year.  Like Embrey, applicants need to be past or current participants in the Marietta Soccer League Program.  Although the scholarship requires applicants to receive only one Varsity letter during their high school soccer career, Embrey would be awarded a total of four letters for the Tigers. Not only was Embrey a stand out soccer player, she also had success in the classroom, exceeding the minimum required G.P.A. to qualify for this scholarship.

When asked how this scholarship impacted her Embrey said, “Receiving the Marietta Soccer League Scholarship from the Marietta Community Foundation certainly made an impact on helping me achieve my dream of playing college soccer.”

Embrey is now currently a sophomore at Marietta College, where she double majors in Communication Studies and Marketing. She is a member of the Marietta College Women's Soccer team as well as other organizations such as the Pioneer Activities Council, 5th Street Consulting, and Pioneer Pipeline. Embrey is a two-year varsity soccer letterman and has made huge contributions on the field, both as a defender and in the forward position.

“I have loved my college experience so far and a major reason for this is because of playing on the Marietta College Women’s Soccer team. Without local scholarships like the Marietta Soccer League Scholarship I may not have been able to attend this school and play soccer for them.” 

When asked about what advice Embrey would give future applicants she said, “My advice to future students considering applying for this scholarship, would be to absolutely go for it!  Every bit of financial aid you receive will be beneficial to you as a student.” 

According to Forbes.com currently there are more than 44 million borrowers who collectively owe $1.5 trillion in student loan debt in the U.S. alone.  Knowing this extreme need The Marietta Community Foundation and its donors are here to support local students by investing in their future. The foundation recognizes that any amount of money will help relieve the financial burden of college.

For those who are interested in applying for any Marietta Community Foundation scholarships, including the Marietta Soccer League Scholarship, visit mcfohio.org/scholarships. If you have any questions, please contact the Foundation at 740-373-3286.