Balancing the stress and chaos of high school isn't an easy thing to do. Someone who has done it flawlessly is Valparaiso High School Senior Drew Paul. Paul is not only known for his contagious smile, but also for his academic and athletics pursuits which have positively impacted those he interacts with throughout the community.
Paul was born and raised in Valparaiso. He is the son of Steve and Angie Paul. His older siblings, Ariana and Alex, have played an extremely important role in his life. He describes his family as tight knit and loving.
“I’m blessed to have such a supportive family,” Paul said. “I’ve grown up in an environment surrounded with love and kindness. My parents have always taught me to treat others the way I want to be treated and accept others despite their differences.”
Basketball has played an immense role in Paul’s life. He began his basketball career when he was in 4th grade when he joined a travel (AAU) basketball team. Paul later played for Benjamin Franklin Middle School. BF provided him with experiences and friendships that followed him into high school. Paul thrived at the competitive high school level and currently serves as the captain of VHS’s boys’ basketball team.
“There’s about a month left of our season. It’s incredible to think that I’ve been playing for so long,” he said.
Paul’s dedication to the sport has not gone unnoticed. His hard work has garnered the respect and support of this fellow teammates and coaches. Not only has he enhanced his athletic abilities, but has also learned many life skills such as cooperation, flexibility, and compassion. Paul’s ability to bring positivity and passion to any situation serves as an uplifting force on the team.
“I’ve always loved basketball, but being able to surround myself with hard working teammates is an added bonus,” Paul said.
Paul’s drive to reach his full potential is illustrated both on and off the court. He is a member of Empower Porter County’s community youth initiative Around the Table. The objective of the program is to spread awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, specifically amongst the younger generation. Paul serves on the Youth Steering Committee, which uses marketing strategies to draw attention to the initiative's important message.
“The neat thing about Around the Table is that it provides support for struggling teens,” Paul said. “The purpose of the program isn’t to single teens out and shame them, but to instead educate them on the other options they have instead of substance abuse.”
Paul’s involvement even stretches into several high school extracurricular activities. Other than basketball and track and field, he is a member of the National Honors Society, he was chosen by his peers to attend the Natural Helpers Retreat and plays a vital role in Team LEAD, a mentor program that spreads positivity and open-mindedness. VHS LEAD members travel to the elementary and middle schools approximately once a month and individually work with younger students.
“I’ve always looked up to positive role models,” Paul said. “By mentoring, I’m able to give back to the community and help shape younger students’ ideas of what a being a good role model means.”
Despite Paul’s academic and athletic success, he remains humble and compassionate. Paul's commitment to bettering the community is truly admirable. It is evident that Paul's genuine passion for helping others will open many doors for him in the future.