Juan Aguirre Awarded 2021 Kyle E. Wagley Feather of Courage Scholarship

WALESKA, Ga. – With the return of the student body in recent weeks to the campus of Reinhardt University, there has arrived new energy, fresh perspective and continued opportunity for students to strive to reach their full potential on and off the field. 

For a few student-athletes in the men's soccer program, there has been a blessing given to represent the legacy of Kyle Wagley through the Feather of Courage Foundation – which has selected its finalists and 2021 recipient. 

The foundation has selected Juan Aguirre to be awarded the 2021 Feather of Courage Scholarship and has also honored Aaron Whitten and Seth Stankich as finalists for the award.

Senior Trevor Robinson was the first recipient of the honor last year as the foundation launched with its mission to support student-athletes who model strong character, servanthood and commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field. This year they have expanded their support to include the recipient, finalists and former awardee in some capacity.

A junior defender, Aguirre is a Business Marketing major with a Communications minor here at Reinhardt who plans on helping expand his father's business as well as pursuing further professional growth with a finance company to expand his knowledge and stretch his experience.

"I am honored to be selected and grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Wagley and the foundation for their investment in my life and future," Aguirre said. "I appreciate the opportunity to represent Kyle's legacy in the days ahead."

The Feather of Courage Foundation was founded by Richard and Sherry Wagley as a medium to honor their son Kyle's legacy through support for student-athletes. This outlet would honor Kyle's memory and allow his legacy to be expanded through investment in others.

Kyle competed for Coach Joey Johnson at a previous institution and was a standout defender with a championship heart for his teammates. He went on to become an outstanding husband, father and Apache pilot who served his country with distinction and grace.

"Scholarship selection this year was very difficult among the candidates," Mr. and Mrs. Wagley said. "They all showed the leadership traits similar to what we saw in Kyle. We believe those selfless traits exhibited by Mr. Juan Aguirre, Mr. Aaron Whitten and Mr. Seth Stankich contributed to the Eagles successful season. 

"Kyle was dedicated to God, family, serving his country and giving back to others."

Johnson said he is humbled by the opportunity to see student-athletes he is entrusted with currently be impacted by Kyle's story. 

"I would be proud to have my sons develop the characteristics that Kyle demonstrated through his lifetime," Johnson said. "To see his legacy continue through the Feather of Courage Foundation here with our young men at Reinhardt is truly a personal blessing because of my relationship with Kyle and his family.

"The three finalists were all great representatives from our program, and I want to congratulate Juan Aguirre on his selection by the foundation's board of directors as the recipient of this year's award. I am confident he will be a great ambassador for the principles the Feather of Courage Foundation supports as he moves forward."

For those who may want more information on the Feather of Courage Foundation, support future scholarship efforts for Reinhardt student-athletes through personal gifts or connect personally with the Wagley family, all are welcome to visit www.facebook.com/FeatherOfCourage or send an email to FeatherOfCourage@gmail.com.

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