Unity Cup highlights students' talents, diversity, spirit

Poughkeepsie Middle School held its second annual Panther Unity Cup Tuesday morning.

The event celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, which stretches from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Six teams of students, many of whom representing their country of Hispanic descent, took part in a tournament, with the entire school in the stands at the district’s athletic complex cheering them on.

The Unity Cup, which brings together students of various backgrounds, is held in association with Marist University. Members of the Red Foxes men’s soccer team were on hand coaching and assisting the middle school athletes and the event was held with assistance from the Marist Liberty Partnerships program. Members of the PMS staff also took the field and participated, aiding the flow of the games.

In the end, the “Pink” team comprised predominantly of eighth-grade students who also won the inaugural cup last year, defeated the “Blue” team of mainly sixth-grade students, though Sergio Flores of the “Blue” team was named most valuable player before the final was played. Those two teams earned medals and all participants and student helpers were given FIFA shirts.