Picture having to move 700 miles in the middle of the school year to play soccer with a professional team. For new sophomore Juliano Perczek, this is reality. 

Perczek was born in Miami but grew up in California and returned to Florida with his soccer team two years ago. 

When he was recruited to play with the D.C. United professional soccer team, his family decided to move to the D.C. area over Winter Break. He started at CESJDS on Jan. 3 and has enjoyed meeting new people.

“It’s crazy how friendly people are here compared to Florida and California,” Perczek said. “I like it so far.”

Perczek currently trains with D.C. United. He practices between three to five days a week for about two hours each day and will potentially play for them professionally in the future. He credits his original participation and love for the sport to his father, who was a professional tennis player.

“D.C. [United] had contacted me wanting me to play for the team and I’m thinking about going pro,” Perczek said. 

Perczek’s parents are Hispanic, and he speaks Spanish at home. He currently takes Spanish, which he finds much easier than his Hebrew class. He has just started learning Hebrew for the first time and has never been in a Jewish school before or thought about taking any Jewish classes until now.

“I have never been in a Jewish school, and it’s all pretty new to me. I currently have a Hebrew tutor and it’s different because I’ve never had to learn a language before because I already speak Spanish at home,” Perczek said.

Perczek also enjoys spending time with his older sister, who goes to American University, and his labradoodle, Shanti. He and Shanti both enjoyed seeing their first snow last week.

“I felt like I was a little kid again; it’s crazy that it was snowing and [my dog] and I loved it,” Perczek said. “I think we’re both looking forward to the next time it happens.”