Kelvin Nworie plays leading role on the pitch, at Hyde Park home, and in his classrooms at NHCS
Kelvin Nworie’s key to success? “Consistency,” he answers. Cassidy McNeeley photos
If there’s one word that describes 17-year-old student-athlete Kelvin Nworie, it’s “leader” – on the playing field, in the classroom, and at home.
Last week, he also became the all-time leading scorer in Neighborhood House Charter School (NHCS) soccer history.
Senior Kelvin Nworie is the first NHCS soccer player to earn more than 100 points.
Nworie began last Monday’s game against KIPP Academy Lynn with 94 career points. By the end of the match, during which the 6-foot-1 Nworie scored three goals and earned an assist, he had become the first NHCS soccer player to top more 100 points in a varsity career.
Currently at the top of the senior class with a 4.41 GPA, Kelvin is a Hyde Park resident with Nigerian roots who aspires to study biomedical engineering at Stanford University.
He embodies what it means to be a student-athlete, says the school’s athletic director Scott Urban. “He’s the smartest kid in the room, but can also jump the highest.
“This dichotomy is rare, but Kelvin has always carried himself with grace. He is, without a doubt, the most well-rounded student I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
Nworie played soccer as a young boy growing up in Nigeria, but “took a break when I came to America” in 2017, he told The Reporter. “I was trying to do basketball, but then I started playing on this [soccer] team in ninth grade.”
NHCS’s assistant coach, Brian Gallagher, has known the striker since he was in middle school. “He has grown so much,” says Gallagher, who is also a college and career pathways counselor at the school. “He’s someone who is quiet by nature but has really broken out of that shell and has been outgoing and funny. He’s more confident in himself as a kid, student, and athlete.”
First-year head soccer coach Charlie Goncalves says he has “very rarely seen someone who scratches that level, especially in high school. When he hit 100, it was jubilation.”
Nworie, with his coaches Brian Gallagher (left) and Charlie Goncalves (right), at Saunders Stadium in Dorchester.
After totaling just two points his first season, Nworie finished his sophomore season with 26 points in 13 games and his junior year with 32 points in 15 games. So far this season alone, in just 11 games, he has 43 points.
His key to success: “Consistency,” he answers. “Since coming here, it’s just felt like a dream. Other schools I went to, this school just feels different because of how diverse it is. As soon as I came here, I felt like I fit in. It’s always been a second home.”
When he is not on the soccer pitch or studying, Nworie also works as after-school program leader in Fields Corner. He’s also a role model for his three younger siblings.
When he was asked how he balances it all, Nworie said, “It’s all about just kind of going through it head first. Since a kid, I’ve had to take care of my family. Handle things that they might not, translate things. I’ve always been the one who’s had stuff piled up on them and has to just stay on track and keep being consistent.”
His focus now is to finish this season strong with his teammates. “We want to end off with 10-12 wins,” said Nworie, whose team is currently 8-3-1. “In NHCS history, we’re at our highest rank right now. We want to keep making history.”
Team captain Nworie (center) leads his team in pre-practice warm-ups.
After the interview, he got right back to work and ran across the field in Saunders Stadium for a Thursday night practice. As he took the field, Gallagher watched from the sidelines, smiled, and said, “I’m really proud of him, but the whole school is really proud of him, too.”
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