From Brazil to PSA to Hinds Community College
PUTNAM — Perseverance, flexibility, and an unwavering drive to develop as an athlete and a student have propelled Gian Filizzola’s journey from the soccer fields of Presidente Prudente, Brazil, to the Putnam Science Academy. 
Filizzola has committed to play soccer at Hinds Community College in Mississippi and is now getting ready for his next chapter.
“I chose Hinds because of the excellent structure of the school,” Filizzola said. “It has a very good level of sport along with good majors, so I can develop not only as an athlete but as a student. Another important point was the climate, because it is similar to the country I come from. What excites me most about playing there is meeting new people and having a new experience at a college in the United States.”
Filizzola first became interested in the game in a small Brazilian town, but he soon recognized that in order to achieve his objectives, he would need to explore outside of it. Leaving family, embracing uncertainty, and adjusting to new surroundings all required sacrifices.
“In soccer, I went through several clubs in Brazil, but I was never able to establish myself in any of them, which often led me back to my hometown,” he said. “As I got older, I realized I needed to find a way to combine my desire to be an athlete with my education.”
 “Because of a recommendation, my family and I started looking into PSA and saw that it would be a great opportunity to unite both goals—which led me to be here during my senior year,” Filizzola said.
In addition to his effect on the soccer field, Filizzola gained recognition for something even more surprising: despite never having played football before, he filled in as a kicker for the PSA football team.
“The transition was very unexpected but very positive,” he said. “At first I was a little afraid because it was something very new to me, such a traditional sport here that I had never seen or tried to play. But the coaches, along with the athletes, gave me a lot of help until I adapted and became a PSA kicker. I believe that the proximity to soccer helped a lot with this transition.”
Beyond the wins and statistics, Filizzola credits PSA with preparing him for the future.
“PSA helped me a lot on both counts,” he said. “On the sporting side, it got me out of the comfort zone of playing in Brazil and made me work hard to adapt to the style of play in the United States and the different positions I played during the year. As a person, it made me socialize and learn about different cultures around the world and, above all, improve my English.”
At Hinds, Filizzola has his sights set high.
“My goals for my collegiate soccer career are to compete at the highest level possible, contribute meaningfully to my team, and continue growing both as a player and a leader,” he said. “I want to help my team win championships, but also push myself every day to improve my technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness.”
With his ambition, work ethic, and openness to new challenges, Gian Filizzola is ready for whatever comes next.
Rebecca Townes
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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