Chaparral athlete gets PPE for medical professionals using connections

Tyler Theman is a self-described “workaholic” and it’s pretty easy to see why.

The 17-year-old Chaparral High School senior is a varsity football player, has a 4.5 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, works as a mentor with Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, is a youth leader at his church and runs his own business.

“I don’t play video games, I don’t watch TV, I really just love learning, helping other people, working,” Theman said. “It’s what I live for, it’s a fantastic time for me doing all this.”

Theman’s business is selling in-demand items, mainly shoes, on Instagram while making international connections.

The connections from China he met through his business made a monumental difference here in the United States as he was able to secure valuable N95 surgical masks to donate to local medical professionals at the start of the coronavirus pandemic when masks were in short supply.

“Rather than waiting on back order for months I was able to get my first shipment in just a matter of days,” Theman said.

Theman obtained the protective equipment by donating about $1,000 of his own money.

“I’m very glad that I was able to do what I could and am very thankful to my friends in China who were able to help me out with that,” Theman said.

Theman says the biggest part of running his own business is making those connections that proved valuable not only for financial growth but also the ability to help people in need.

He hopes to someday be an executive while operating a business on the side with a mission to continue helping people.

“People are too focused on the money,” Theman said. “I think there needs to be more focus on the humanity aspect of it and I just feel like I could do a great job with that.”

As for now, Theman is working hard applying for colleges while maintaining his busy schedule.