Highland Student Receives National Honor

Highland Regional High School student Michael Cooper was recently selected a runner-up in the inaugural Inspireum Soccer Awards, a national program that recognizes high school-aged soccer players who are inspirational in their communities.

When he's not studying or on the soccer field, Cooper, who is ranked first in his class at Highland, can often be found assisting his highly functional autistic brothers with after-school activities.

Most associated with the Highland athletic program know that about Cooper.

What many might not know is that Cooper has been battling the ill effects of Crohn's disease, or chronic inflammation of the intestines, for most of his life.

Cooper does not allow his disease or the demands of being a top-ranked student and a varsity soccer player prevent him from being there for his brothers.

"Rather than becoming bitter about the attention directed toward his brothers, he jumped in to help,” his father, Bob Cooper, told Inspireum.

Cooper is also an active volunteer with the Soccer Stars program, which provides kids on the autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS) spectrum with an opportunity to exercise, improve motor planning and practice their social skills.  

With all of this going on in his life, Cooper continues to excel on the soccer field, in the classroom and within his community. 

“We need more teenagers like Michael who are selfless and dedicated to helping others, especially at such a young age,” says friend Judy Guido.

Cooper will receive a $2,500 college scholarship through Trusted Sports Foundation for being selected as one of three runners-up in the Inspireum Soccer Awards.

The national Inspireum winner is Christian Metzler, of Woodbridge, VA, a one-legged goalie who works with disabled veterans at Walter Reed and Bethesda medical centers. Metzler was named to the All-Virginia team this fall.

The winner and runners-up were determined by the Inspireum Soccer Awards' National Selection Committee comprised of chairman Steve Sampson and U.S. men’s national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, as well as many other well-known soccer personalities.

Check back with Gloucester Township Patch for more on Cooper's story.