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Sheldon Hackett grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where his parents were support missionaries. They traveled to Thailand and moved their entire family to Chiang Mai, Thailand. The couple taught math for seven years at an international school before returning to the United States and settling in Indiana. Hackett is now a senior at Traders Point Christian Schools (TPCS).
“When I started at TPCS in fourth grade, I decided I wanted to try to play football,” Hackett said. “It was an American sport I wasn’t exposed to in Thailand. I wanted to try it because it was new to me, and I kept playing because it was fun and I was pretty good at it.”
Pretty good, indeed. Hackett played various positions for most of high school, including middle linebacker. Recently he switched to playing outside linebacker and strong safety. He’s served as varsity football team captain for the last two years.
Hackett’s commitment to serving his community is unwavering. He is an active member of the student council and National Honor Society, showcasing his academic excellence. His volunteer work at College Park Church is a clear demonstration of his dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.
“I’ve been involved in student council all four years of high school,” Hackett says. “I like the idea of being involved in the creativity of the brainstorming process. I love being able to support the school and a desire to give the students everything they want.”
TPCS has a partnership with the Nicaragua Resource Network, through which Hackett has traveled to Nicaragua twice. Hackett says they partner with a sister school and develop relationships with students and families there.
“We brought a lot of groceries and supplies for them,” Hackett says. “Many families don’t have cars, and because of that, they’ve never been sometimes even an hour outside of the city. So we would get on a bus with them and go to the beach to give them an opportunity they wouldn’t have had, along with providing their families with the groceries and supplies they need.”
In the future, Hackett envisions a path that is as ambitious as it is inspiring. He plans to study theology, possibly pursuing a Ph.D. to teach theology at the university level. His ambition doesn’t stop there. While in school, he plans to pursue more volunteer opportunities and possibly even move. He says that because of living in Thailand, he has a restlessness to get out into the world like his parents did when he was a child – a sentiment that can inspire hope for a brighter future.
“My faith is important to me and who I am, because it is foundational to how I interact with the community and the world around me,” Hackett says. “It brings an appreciation for the life I was given and a desire to love others in the best way possible.”
