CHARACTER COUNTS
Trivium Prep soccer captain makes a difference at home and abroad
Sep 18, 2017, 10:06 AM
Nathaniel Everett might be a bit torn.
Luckily, the Trivium Prep junior has some time to determine his career path. And he’s got several options in front of him based on his interests and strengths.
“I think I’m looking toward some religious studies like theology … maybe going into pastoral something,” he said. “I like working with kids so youth pastor, maybe. But then, also, missionary work is something I’m kind of looking into.”
Everett already has experience in missionary work.
The son of a youth pastor and a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Goodyear, he has made two trips to Haiti where the church is helping the small community of Las Aguas. There, they are in the process of building infrastructure by improving the water system and the local school.
While Everett can’t make the big decisions, he was quick to throw his name into the hat of volunteers two years ago before his first trip. And in both trips since, he’s broken the language barrier by giving out balls and playing soccer with the town’s kids his age.
“It was just amazing to be able to connect with the kids there,” he said. “Even though we can’t speak the same language, we were able to build a really strong connection, especially through sports.
“They love soccer down in Haiti.”
His involvement in his faith goes beyond missionary work.
Everett leads second-and third-graders in weekly Bible studies, and in school, he was involved in the inception of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ presence at Trivium.
No matter what group he’s involved in, Everett has a way of leading. At Trivium, he’s been selected to lead in the school’s house system, in which students from grades 6-12 are divided into houses and smaller chapters to help promote relationships between students of different ages.
By the way, he’s pretty good at soccer himself having been named an All-Region Second Team player along with All-Academic Team honors for his 4.65 GPA.
A midfielder, Everett is the on-field leader, the person who connects the team. He’s that in title as well, as he was named captain of both the Trivium squad and his club team.
As for his future, he’s yet to choose what comes after high school. But he’s got more pressing things to worry about.
His third missionary trip to Haiti comes next June.