By Hunter Haskett, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Trent Powell sits at a table surrounded by his parents, coaches, teammates and friends, finally achieving a goal he’s had since seventh grade: playing collegiate-level soccer. On Friday, Jan. 4, Powell held his commitment ceremony to the Methodist University men’s soccer team.

“It’s sort of surreal,” said Amy Powell, Trent’s mother and an English teacher at FFHS. “I mean, he said in seventh grade that he wanted to play soccer, so we’ve had that goal ever since then.”

After visiting 17 schools and playing soccer for as long as he can remember, Trent chose the NCAA Division III school in Fayetteville.

“They were the only place that wanted me straightaway — they didn’t play any games,” Trent said. “It’s a dope school. They have a dope field.”

Trent’s dedication both on the field and in the classroom helped him reach his athletic goal. His storied career for the Nighthawks included 12 goals and three assists as a freshman, 11 goals and three assists as a sophomore, 28 goals and nine assists as a junior and then 30 goals and 10 assists as a senior. He helped FFHS win the state championship in 2017. As a junior and senior, he earned All-State, All-Region and All-Conference honors and was named the NCC Offensive Player of the Year this past fall.

“I think his work ethic, his desire to do well,” soccer coach Juan Ramirez said. “He brought a lot to the table, making everyone step up to a higher level, so we’re going to miss that.”

Trent is also being rewarded academically.

“The school where he’s playing doesn’t offer athletic scholarships, but he’s getting an academic scholarship,” Amy explained. “He did his part by working hard and making good grades.”

Trent will be starting at Methodist this August and wants to continue his soccer journey through a study-abroad program in Spain. He is undecided about his major.

Senior Hunter Haskett can be reached at hasketthu0318@daretolearn.org.