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Let our experienced team handle all of your estate needs: ǵLjǵ%Éãǵ¬ß££ǟ±ãã£ǵ¬ß££ǵ£ãéé£ǵã£ã Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation 248-709-9648 CHANGING HANDS ESTATE SALES changinghandsestates.com Check out our live auction http://liveauctioneers.com/catalog/111119_20th-century-iconic-art-sculpture-and-glass/ November 9 • 2017 25 jn S occer referees around the world were shocked three years ago when a referee was punched by a player during a game in Livonia and died two days later. Elizabeth Larky-Savin was one of those stunned refs. Now she's "incredibly proud" to be one of the inaugural recipients of the John Bieniewicz Memorial Scholarship presented by the Michigan Referee Committee in honor of the late referee. Larky-Savin, a University of Michigan freshman and 2017 West Bloomfield High School gradu- ate, was awarded one of four $2,000 scholarships from among more than 40 applicants. Bieniewicz officiated a West Bloomfield girls soccer game a few weeks before the horrific attack that took his life June 29, 2014. Larky- Savin played in that earlier game for the Lakers. "I didn't know John, but after I saw who he was after that inci- dent happened, I put two-and-two together and realized he had offici- ated some of our [West Bloomfield] games," she said. "He was a good referee. When he was assigned to our game, I knew the game would be officiated fairly." Bieniewicz was punched by a player during a Michigan United Soccer League game. He died at age 44, leaving behind his wife, Kristen, and two sons. Bassel Saad, the assailant, was con- victed of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to eight to 15 years in prison. Saad also was part of a con- fidential wrongful death settlement. Witnesses said Saad, a Dearborn resident, was protesting a call and was about to be ejected when he punched Bieniewicz, knocking him unconscious. Among the requirements for the scholarship named for Bieniewicz are being a soccer referee for a minimum of three years and being a high school senior with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average. Larky-Savin easily met those stan- dards. She's officiated recreation and travel games for four years and she was in the National Honor Society at West Bloomfield plus, she impressed the scholarship selection committee with her essay on what she's learned from being a soccer referee and her extensive list of extra-curricular activities. Among her activities outside of school were serving as vice presi- dent of Achayot BBYO chapter, and volunteering as a teacher's helper at Temple Israel. In her essay, she said she originally thought referee- ing would be something to do solely to make some money, but now she's part of an "amazing community" of people who strive to improve the game they love. She wrote that officiating has helped her develop into a strong, confident person. She's also learned how to interact with players, coaches and parents, she wrote, done a lot of quick think- ing and learned how to access a situation and handle it well. Doug Shoultz, United FC Michigan referee assignor, wrote a letter of recommendation for Larky- Savin, calling her highly motivated and someone who takes her respon- sibility as a referee very seriously. "I never had to wonder if [Elizabeth] would do what was required of her and she always did what was needed with excellence," he wrote. "She's highly trustworthy and reliable." Larky-Savin said being a soccer player has helped her become a bet- ter referee, and made the job more challenging. "I know all the things players try to do, so I'm looking for them," she said. "On the other hand, you have to always remember you're a third- party at a game, which is so differ- ent than being a player." Larky-Savin, 18, a West Bloomfield resident, began playing soccer when she was 5 and played club and high school soccer. She said she's playing intramural soccer at U-M because she doesn't have time for club soccer. She's put her refereeing career on hold until she gets acclimated to a college schedule, she said, but she hopes to officiate again in the spring. The inaugural scholarship win- ners were honored at the outing in July. Larky-Savin attended the event and spoke to the crowd. The fourth annual outing will be Aug. 11, 2018. For information, call Pete Morrissey at (248) 207-5757. • Send news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com. Her Soccer Scholarship Is Worth More Than Money Elizabeth Larky- Savin STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER sports