The varsity girls’ soccer team and their head coach, Kelle Bevine, have been selected for the Chief Pamela A. Smith Youth Leadership Award from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This award recognizes the team’s exemplary student-athletes for their achievement and the coaches for helping foster a positive community.
Director of the MPD’s Office of Communications Cynthia Puryear describes the award’s main purpose as encouraging student athletes, especially ones who have “overcome significant personal obstacles and challenges,” similar to “Chief Smith’s own childhood experience.” She also mentions that the most important aspect of a police department is building a relationship with the community it serves and protects.
The award is a way of strengthening the relationship with a vital part of the community, the younger generation. “They are the community today, tomorrow, and beyond. Every young person deserves a safe environment in which to grow, learn, and prepare for the future,” said Puryear.
The girls soccer student-athletes believe that this honor truly reflects the hard work they’ve put into the season. Senior midfielder Ema Blanco said that “this year, we’ve played some of our best soccer, and I’m really proud that our effort was recognized.” The team had an impressive overall record of 18 wins, three losses, two ties, and an undefeated record in the DCIAA league. This strength was matched with stellar GPAs, almost all between 4.0 and 5.0.
Bevine caught the MPD’s attention with her own excellence, loyalty, and dedication to the team. She has not only played the sport herself at the college level, but has also earned a “C” license from the US Soccer Federation. Senior right wing captain Olivia Heinemann highlighted the advantageous transparency of Bevine’s coaching style: “Reasons would be provided to those who did not play as much, and she made every player feel valued both on and off the field. There was constant praise given to us, as well as new ways to improve.”
Bevine affirmed that “the positive team culture that we achieved” was equally as impressive as their record and win of DCIAA championships. “It was more than just winning games.”
Blanco added on, saying how well they worked together, “Everyone was super committed, and that connection showed in the way we played.” Alex Cohen, a junior defender on the team, even credits winning the award to this: “The team earned this award because of the way we came together on and off the field and how we, as a collective, were able to create a family.”
The award ceremony took place during the MPD’s Women’s Conference 2025 on March 6, with the theme “INSPIRED: Women Connecting with a Purpose.” It was held to create a supportive and inspiring environment where women from various agencies in the DMV can come together and discuss the unique challenges that women often face in honor of Women’s History Month.
It also is helping fulfill the MPD’s commitment to the 30×30 Initiative, which focuses on advancing women and supporting their representation, experiences, and well-being at all levels of law enforcement, seeing as women currently only represent less than 14% of sworn officers.
“You matter. You have wonderful things to offer,” Puryear reassured students, “You may not even know it yet, but you do. We love our students and we want you to be safe, healthy, happy, and to win soccer matches. We are cheering for you at MPD.”
This recognition not only serves as farewell and final success for the seniors, but a boost for the next season. “To me this award continues the legacy of Jackson Reed Soccer. We are a strong program that aims high, bringing energy and excitement through each step of the journey,” sophomore goalie Lucy Carroll said. •
