Whiz Kid: A Major Becomes An Eagle

Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Charlene Belanger

Charlene is a senior at Mount Vernon High School who recently signed her official letter of intent to play soccer for American University in Washington, D.C. next year.

The first time Charlene kicked a soccer ball, she was five years old. At seventeen, she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“I love the competitiveness and relationships you build through soccer,” she said. “It’s really neat.”

Charlene has been captain of the varsity soccer team since sophomore year and has won the coaches’ award and Most Valuable Player award. She has played for the McLean Azul and for the Olympic Development team for the last five years.

After knee surgery in November to clear up cartilage damage, Belanger must sit out this season. However, she is looking forward to taking on a new role as an assistant coach for the Majors and anticipates a full recovery. Come August 5, she will be back on the field at AU.

“I’m looking forward to the higher level of training and competition,” said Belanger of playing for the Eagles.

Charlene will major in elementary education and would like to get her master’s in special education.

When she’s not tearing up the soccer field, she enjoys reading, running, and photography. She is the oldest of three and credits her family and coaches for “basically getting me where I needed to go.”