Support Arica's Dream to Wrestle in Fargo

My name is Arica Pearson-Leary. I am 16 years old from Maybrook, New York. I am a junior at Valley Central High School.

I am a wrestler for Valley Central High School and have earned many accomplishments over my time on my school and club wrestling teams. To name a few: 2024 NYWAY State Champion (2023 runner-up), 4th place finisher at 2025 Eastern States (5th place finish 2024), VC's first Section IX Female Champion (2023), VC's first 2x Section IX female champion (2025), VC's first female to place at NYSPHSAA Girls States (2025), VC's first female to qualify for Fargo (2025), and the first captain of our all-girls team. I began wrestling on the VC Modified boys wrestling team for the 21-22 season and I quickly fell in love with this sport.

On May 4, 2025, I wrestled in the Jeff Blatnick Freestyle State Tournament in the Junior Division at 155 lbs. I placed 2nd, with the 16th quickest pin in the tournament and 1st quickest in my age group for both the Greco and Freestyle divisions.

This has qualified me to wrestle on the New York National Team to compete at the USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championships held in Fargo, ND from July 12th-19th (I will be competing the 12-13th). This is the world's largest wrestling tournament, held annually in Fargo, North Dakota. It features wrestlers of various age groups and styles, including freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's freestyle. The tournament attracts a large number of participants, often exceeding 7,000, and is known for its high-level competition.

To say that this is a dream come true would be an understatement. Being able to go to Fargo will help me look for colleges and will help set up my future in both my sport and my desire to become a forensic psychologist.

I wrestle for Deep Roots Wrestling Club and Venom Girls Wrestling Club. These two clubs have supported me through each practice and tournament immensely, and I am forever grateful (along with The Bear Cave and the Kingston Tigers).

I come from a family of 4 that includes my mother, older and younger brother, along with myself. With my brother leaving for college soon and having a single mother, it is hard to make these payments. I am asking if anyone can help make this dream a reality!

The cost for this trip would include:

• Registration for Fargo

• Fargo gear pack

• Airfare for my mom and me (roundtrip)

• Rental car

• Hotel room for my mom (4 nights)

Any and all donations or simply spreading the word around will be deeply appreciated!!