Senior Profile: Angelo Clark

Every once in a while a student comes along that you wish would never leave. That’s how I feel about “Iron” Angelo Clark. Over the past few years, I have watched this young man go from the average place for students, just getting by, and propel himself to the elite status as a leader within the school. He has matured into a leader on the field, in the classroom and wherever he goes. He has an old soul, and I got to sit down with this outstanding senior at Lake Roosevelt for a chat.

“This has been the best year ever.” That is how Angelo started our conversation, and he kept going. “It has been a great year. Our football team was the best it has been in 15 years and I got to be a part of it. It was awesome.” Angelo was a big part of the football team’s success and his leadership was a big part of that.

Past Raider Coach and Junior High Football Coach Geary Oliver said this about Angelo: “We knew that leader was in him and we tried to draw it out, he was a quiet leader at first but this year we saw the vocal, physical leader come out.” Coach Loren Endsley echoed Oliver’s words and added, “He was a leader in the weight room as well, pushing kids to do better.”

I asked Angelo what made the difference this year in his leadership and Raider football. He immediately shot back with confidence, “Endsley made the difference. I had a lack of discipline in the past and he brought it out of me, and the leadership just happened.”

So what does the future hold for this Raider football star? “The military. I plan on putting in 20 years in the service,” he said, explaining that ever since he was very little he has wanted to be in the service, and now that dream is within reach. He also said that his uncle was in the Air Force and that was an early influence for him.

I think that is the perfect fit for a man who this year developed a sense of pride in his school and has shown on many occasions that he would stand up for what is right. Even if it was not popular.

So where does a young citizen like this come from? Well, it is a long story, but this is for sure: Jeannie Kent has a lot to do with it.

“She had the toughest job, a single mom, raising two rough boys,” Angelo stated as a fact when I asked about her. “She took me in when she did not have to. She made me tougher, more responsible, and I will never be able to thank her enough.” Again, Angelo replied as if stating a fact, and I believe him.

That is something about Angelo: when he speaks, people listen. Young kids and peers, adults and elders all seem to pay attention when he speaks. He carries himself with character, and shows respect, always saying “thank you” or giving a firm handshake. Some might say, a man’s man.

What kind of advice does Angelo have for future seniors? “Learn to work with teachers. They want you to succeed; you just got to try.” Great words from a great young man.

The future of our military looks bright with this polite, respectful, hardworking, leader that has his whole future ahead of him. Angelo wanted me to make sure I thanked his mom, Jeannie, for him, but I think we should all thank her for raising such a great man. Thank you, Jeannie, and thank you, Angelo.