Army West Point Athletics
Women’s Soccer Adopts Mya Bonilla
April 27, 2016 | Women's Soccer
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's soccer team was on hand to welcome the newest member of the program with the adoption of Mya Bonilla of Chester, N.Y., during a ceremony held at the team's conference room Tuesday afternoon.
Mya joins the program thanks to the work with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, an organization that serves children and their families who are battling life-threatening diseases. Army goalkeeper coach Renee Pilch worked closely with the Foundation in spearheading the adoption.
Bonilla was officially welcomed to the squad after signing her national letter of intent with Pilch doing the honor. Head coach Marcia McDermott then welcomed her newest recruit who she feels will be an inspiration for her team.
Following a team photo with the players, Mya was escorted to the locker room where she was given her own locker, along with a jersey, a pair of cleats and additional soccer gear.
The biggest smile from the 5-year-old came when she saw her name above her locker where she posed for pictures with her family – mom (Jashaia) and dad (Jose) along with big brother Damyan.
Afterwards Mya, who will turn six on May 10, joined the players at the blackboard in the team room.
On the board written in chalk in big letters were the words 'Welcome Mya!' but what caught Mya's eyes were countless pieces of chalk in various colors. Mya was right at home at the blackboard, picking up the chalk and writing her name alongside the players who were having just as much fun scribbling with her with hearts and drawings.
Mya is now a Black Knight who will be an inspiration to the players and staff this upcoming season. She was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and both her parents spoke about the disease and how it upended their lives, but right now they are hoping to turn that corner. They enjoyed their visit with the team and are looking forward to more times together when Mya joins her new teammates on the bench at home games this fall.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation began in 2005 when Jaclyn Murphy became connected to, and later adopted, as an honorary member of the Northwestern women's lacrosse team. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor as a nine-year-old, and was part of the team as Northwestern won the school's first NCAA Championship.
The program was born by her father, Denis, after Jaclyn shared her dream to have all of the sick children adopted onto a team of their own So, in 2005, the Murphy Family created the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
Jaclyn, who turned 21 on Tuesday, is a senior at Marist College. Scheduled to graduate next month, she as unable to attend Mya's ceremony due to exams.
Mya's family connected to FOJ came through a family that participated in a lacrosse camp held by Penn State lacrosse coach Jeff Tambroni.
Tambroni held a leadership/lacrosse camp last summer and had Denis Murphy speak to his campers (Jeff's team at PSU adopted Gavin Royer, age five, through their program). FOJ challenged Jeff's campers to take their leadership skills home and help in any way possible.
"This past winter Christopher DiLorenzo and his dad, Chris, reached out and introduced me to the Bonilla family," said Denis Murphy. "They met me at Maria Fareri in Westchester, N.Y., and introduced me to Jashaia, Jose and Princess Mya. The DiLorenzo Family was unable to attend today's adoption because Chris had his own lacrosse game."
Mya joins the program thanks to the work with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, an organization that serves children and their families who are battling life-threatening diseases. Army goalkeeper coach Renee Pilch worked closely with the Foundation in spearheading the adoption.
Bonilla was officially welcomed to the squad after signing her national letter of intent with Pilch doing the honor. Head coach Marcia McDermott then welcomed her newest recruit who she feels will be an inspiration for her team.
Following a team photo with the players, Mya was escorted to the locker room where she was given her own locker, along with a jersey, a pair of cleats and additional soccer gear.
The biggest smile from the 5-year-old came when she saw her name above her locker where she posed for pictures with her family – mom (Jashaia) and dad (Jose) along with big brother Damyan.
Afterwards Mya, who will turn six on May 10, joined the players at the blackboard in the team room.
On the board written in chalk in big letters were the words 'Welcome Mya!' but what caught Mya's eyes were countless pieces of chalk in various colors. Mya was right at home at the blackboard, picking up the chalk and writing her name alongside the players who were having just as much fun scribbling with her with hearts and drawings.
Mya is now a Black Knight who will be an inspiration to the players and staff this upcoming season. She was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and both her parents spoke about the disease and how it upended their lives, but right now they are hoping to turn that corner. They enjoyed their visit with the team and are looking forward to more times together when Mya joins her new teammates on the bench at home games this fall.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation began in 2005 when Jaclyn Murphy became connected to, and later adopted, as an honorary member of the Northwestern women's lacrosse team. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor as a nine-year-old, and was part of the team as Northwestern won the school's first NCAA Championship.
The program was born by her father, Denis, after Jaclyn shared her dream to have all of the sick children adopted onto a team of their own So, in 2005, the Murphy Family created the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
Jaclyn, who turned 21 on Tuesday, is a senior at Marist College. Scheduled to graduate next month, she as unable to attend Mya's ceremony due to exams.
Mya's family connected to FOJ came through a family that participated in a lacrosse camp held by Penn State lacrosse coach Jeff Tambroni.
Tambroni held a leadership/lacrosse camp last summer and had Denis Murphy speak to his campers (Jeff's team at PSU adopted Gavin Royer, age five, through their program). FOJ challenged Jeff's campers to take their leadership skills home and help in any way possible.
"This past winter Christopher DiLorenzo and his dad, Chris, reached out and introduced me to the Bonilla family," said Denis Murphy. "They met me at Maria Fareri in Westchester, N.Y., and introduced me to Jashaia, Jose and Princess Mya. The DiLorenzo Family was unable to attend today's adoption because Chris had his own lacrosse game."
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