Name: Noah Jordan
Age: 15
Year: Sophomore
Fall Sport: Soccer
Position: Right Midfielder
Years on Varsity: 1.5 years
Height & Weight: 5’9”/150 lbs.
Experience: 12 years (began playing soccer when he was four years old)
RSHS Academics: Jordan, who presents himself as a quiet, respectful young man, spoke very eloquently about his studies as a sophomore at Richmond Senior High School. Placing a heavy emphasis on his schoolwork, Jordan is enrolled in the AP cluster, and plans to enter dual-enrollment classes at Richmond Community College during his junior year.
Currently, Jordan is taking several courses, but he’s most enjoying his AP Government class. He noted that a lot of people get argumentative when it comes to government and politics, but says the class isn’t that at all.
“AP Gov isn’t just about political views,” he said. “It’s my toughest class, but I enjoy it because we’re learning about the structure of our government. There’s so much more to our political system than what’s on the surface, and I like being able to learn and discuss it.”
Jordan is also enrolled in an online anatomy and physiology class, which he credits his dad, Butch Jordan, for getting him interested in since he’s an x-ray technician. He enjoys studying not only the major systems of the body, but the lesser known ones, too.
RSHS Sports: A soccer player through-and-through, Jordan hasn’t dabbled too much into other sports at Richmond. When he’s not playing soccer for the Raiders, Jordan plays recreational club soccer for John Roberson.
An athletic individual, Jordan is considering trying out for Richmond’s boys tennis team in the spring.
Extracurricular Activities: Even though he’s just a sophomore, Jordan has immersed himself within several clubs and organizations both at Richmond and in the community. At school, he’s a general member of the National Beta Club, and participates in the after-school Fellowship of Christian Athletes program. As he continues his journey through Richmond over the next couple of years, Jordan hopes to be inducted into the National Honors Society, as well as expound upon his love of government and join RSHS’ student senate.
Jordan is also a familiar face at many community organizations, and spends a lot of time volunteering to collect Beta Club service hours, but also because he enjoys it.
“Volunteering is a good way to give back,” Jordan said. “I’ve helped out at the (Pee Dee) Pregnancy Resource Center, as well as Our Daily Bread (Food Ministry). I’ve stocked shelves and helped organize food and supplies.
“Some friends and I also volunteered at the (Richmond County) Human Society,” Jordan added. “We built elevated beds for the animals there.”
Hobbies: One of Jordan’s most commendable hobbies is being in Boy Scouts of America. Currently the rank of Life, one rank short of the BSA’s highest honor of Eagle Scout, Jordan is a member of Troop 64, which meets at the First Presbyterian Church in Rockingham. He enjoys this hobby because it has taught, and continues to teach, him so many life skills, among them leadership and organization. With Scouts, Jordan is also able to contribute to Richmond County through service projects, as he is currently planning his final Eagle Project.
When he’s not on the field or lending a helping hand, Jordan enjoys “relaxing.” Two activities he enjoys are hunting and fishing with his dad, as well as riding four wheelers on backroads. Being able to “spend time” with his family and friends is also very important to the 15-year-old.
College Aspirations: As mentioned earlier, Jordan places his studies at the top of his priority list. Though he’s got some time before he graduates in the spring of 2020, Jordan is already planning his future. A straight-A student, Jordan plans to keep pushing himself academically during the next two-and-a-half years at Richmond.
Jordan hopes to earn college credits through RSHS’ dual-enrollment program, which he says will give him a “jumpstart” on his college career. In looking at postsecondary options, Jordan has narrowed his course of study to either biology or medicine, more specifically a pediatrician.
“Both of these fields are similar, but different,” Jordan explained. “One deals with people; the other with animals. But it’s just so interesting to me to explore the human body or an animal’s. Anatomy and medicine are really cool subjects, and they would give me a chance to help people.”
As it is early in his college-searching career, Jordan is leaving his options open. He’s considering several top-tier schools with exceptional biology and medical programs. His list includes: Appalachian State University, Duke University, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Wilmington.
Interesting Fact: In keeping with his studies, Jordan’s interesting fact is that he wants people to know that he places his academics first above all else. He expressed his desire in wanting to play soccer at the collegiate level, but said that he can’t even consider doing that unless he succeeds and reaches his academic goals first.
“I feel that academics are a lot more important than athletics,” Jordan said. “Sure, I would love to play soccer in college, but it’s not as big of a deal to me as my academic success.
“There are hundreds of thousands of kids out there trying to make it professionally,” Jordan continued. “If I can do that, that’s great. But being successful in school is far more notable, to me, than doing well in athletics.”
Mentor: Sometimes it’s best to express gratitude to those closest to you, and that’s what Jordan did when he selected his mentors. For his mentors, he chose his mother, Dr. Wendy Jordan, and his aforementioned father, Butch Jordan.
“My parents always try to make me the best person that I can be,” Jordan said, smiling. “They’re all about getting me prepared for the real world after high school and college. My mom tells me every day to make my bed, and it may sound stupid, but it’s helping me develop a sense of routine, organization and a mental checklist that I’ll need to be successful.
According to Jordan, his mother, who is the Director of Student Services for Richmond County Schools, and his father, who served in the U.S. army and is currently an x-ray technician, have taught him to overcome adversity and remind him that the “real world is his for the taking.”
Player of the Week Stats: The boys soccer season is dwindling down as the Raiders are the No. 5 seed in the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament. As a budding sophomore who earned more playing time this year, Jordan has scored four goals and added one assist on the season, a number he says “isn’t bad” for an underclassman midfielder.
Jordan’s best performance came early in the season on August 28, when he scored two of the Raiders’ nine goals in a 9-0 victory against SAC opponent Purnell-Swett High School. Jordan also scored the very first goal of the 2017 campaign, a breakaway zinger against St. Pauls High School.
What has your first full season on varsity been like? Describe your progression throughout the season.
“At the beginning of the season, I was pretty nervous,” Jordan admitted. “But then I realized I had potential to become a starter. I worked hard in practice, and things fell into place.
“Coach Howard always talks about ‘me’ players; players who are selfish,” Jordan continued. “Early on, I asked myself if I was a ‘me’ player. If I ever was, I’ve grown out of it. I’m committed to being a team player and a leader. It’s not about ‘me’, it’s about the team. I don’t want to score three goals every game and lose by one.”
Coach’s Corner: Head coach Bennie Howard, who has captained the Richmond soccer program the last 30 years, selected Jordan as the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week because of his progression throughout the season and his proven ability on the pitch.
“Noah is a rising star on this team,” Howard noted. “He has the ability to score with either foot, which makes him dangerous on both outside midfield areas. As a freshman on the junior varsity team, he did a good job and I moved him up knowing that he would contribute right away. And he did that by scoring the first goal of the season
“Noah always asks how he can improve his game,” Howard continued. “He wants to be the best at what he does on and off the field. He also works hard in the classroom, taking AP classes. This will better prepare him for future success on the field and in college.
Look for Jordan on the Richmond Observer’s flagship news program Live at 5, as he’ll be in studio for Thursday’s edition.
