Wayne, Pa. – As he files in, Anthony Fontana blends in with the crowd, just another of the 18 high school seniors, their athletic builds obscured by robes, looking ungainly in the unusually stiff dress attire of the day. For someone who’s usually captured with his head up, moving feet pumping forward, the discomfort of keeping a mortarboard perched atop his head is palpable.



Something else unusual stands out as Fontana steps to the microphone Friday morning at YSC Sports. He’s not uncommon in stature or self-confidence, the latter not lacking in many of the graduates whose placement at the school was earned by their exceptional talent. No, it’s the depth he lends to his speech as each graduate takes a turn offering remarks. If soccer is the academic currency of YSC Academy, then Fontana is its valedictorian. His composition is more redolent of a college commencement speaker.



“Not only are you guys the future of the school, but the future...