New York teen dies in Va. auto accident on way to soccer game
By Jimmy LaRoue and Jennifer Taylor
A New York teenager who showed promise both on and off the soccer field died Thursday in a traffic accident in Prince William County, Va. while on her way to a game.
Christina Ginley, 18, was a senior at Warwick Valley High School and played club soccer for Quickstrike FC. News reports noted that the vehicle in which Ginley was riding was struck while on Interstate-95.
Ginley was a senior at Warwick Valley High School, located about 55 miles north of New York City. At Warwick Valley, Ginley captained the varsity soccer team, excelled academically, and participated in several charitable causes including Meals on Wheels, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the NY Blood Drive.
She had received numerous honors on the soccer field and was active in many charities in her hometown of Warwick. She had already enrolled in an Orange Community College calculus course and was set to play college soccer in the fall.
“Christina has been one of the best role models for our club over the past years and has grown to be an inspiring young woman that is a perfect representation of what Quickstrike is all about,” said Quickstrike FC on its website. “Christina was a leader, an inspiration, but most of all an angel!”
Her high school principal, Richard Linkens, told Your News Now that “I remember playing soccer in the backyard with Christina when she was younger at family functions. She was a special person, as a friend, as a student, as a daughter and as a niece.”
A funeral Mass will be held for Ginley Wed., Mar. 20. Here’s the text of a message from superintendent Dr. Ray Bryant on the Warwick Valley Central School District website:
As you have probably learned by now, a tragic automobile accident last night took the life of high school senior Christina Ginley.
The driver of the car and another passenger are recovering from their injuries in Virginia, where the accident took place.
Warwick staff members have been informed of this tragedy so that we can support the family, friends, students and one another during this difficult time. Crisis counselors from throughout the school district and Orange County are at the high school to support students and provide grief counseling.
Additionally, counselors will be visiting classrooms throughout the day to talk to students and offer help to anyone who needs it.
Christina was a wonderful student, a gifted soccer player and actively involved in numerous activities at Warwick Valley High School and in the community as a volunteer. She will be greatly missed by her fellow students, teammates, teachers, coaches and all of the whose lives she touched in the school district community.
Please speak with your parents, a guidance counselor, Principal Linkens, a teacher or other trusted adult if you have any questions or concerns.
