Schools

Highland Student Recognized for Volunteer Work with Autistic Children

Michael Cooper was named one of three runners-up in a national awards program for inspirational stories of high school-aged soccer players.

Michael Cooper certainly didn't do it thinking it would one day win him an award.

The Highland Regional High School junior didn't do it thinking it would help earn him a college scholarship, either.

The lifelong Blackwood resident did it because he loves his little brother, Matthew, 14.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

About five years ago, Cooper and his dad and older brother—both named Robert—started a program that utilizes soccer to provide autistic kids an opportunity to exercise, improve motor planning and practice their social skills.

Michael's two brothers—Matthew and Robert—are autistic. Michael explains that his older brother, now a 19-year-old student at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, always played soccer, but Matthew's autism made it difficult for him to play the sport his older brothers loved so much.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From the Cooper family's desire to share the "beautiful game" with Matthew developed Soccer Stars.

"We try to show that these kids can push themselves, too, and they can do more than a lot of people think of them," Michael said. "So, doing different exercises, building muscles for them, showing them how to control their bodies and how to interact socially with a group of people similar to themselves is the biggest part and the goal of the whole organization."

Michael's dedication to Soccer Stars recently won the Highland boys' soccer midfielder and defender a $2,500 scholarship as one of three runners-up in the national Inspireum Soccer Awards.

The local soccer program started with only a handful of kids, but has since grown to include more than 25 participants. Soccer Stars meets at James W. Lilley Elementary School, in Sicklerville, each Tuesday.

Michael did not know much about the Inspireum Soccer Awards when he found out his dad and Highland vice principal Tom Storer had nominated him for the organization's inaugural national awards program.

"At first, I thought it was just another small scholarship thing," the top-ranked Highland junior admits.

Then, he found out U.S. men's national team coach and former international soccer star Jurgen Klinsmann was among the members of the Inspireum selection committee.

"Just to be put in with people who are that important and then making it as one of the finalists, it was incredible—incredible that such huge people are voting on me and reading about my story," Michael said.

While he wanted to win the contest, especially once he learned he was one of 12 finalists, Michael could not help but feel inspired by the story of the top-prize winner, Christian Metzler, of Woodbridge, VA. A one-legged goalie, Metzler was named to the All-Virginia team this fall.

"He had to go through a lot just to play any sport. He was born without a leg—he didn't lose it and have a prosthetic—so I can't imagine what they'd have to do to even make a prosthetic if you didn't have the nerves to move it in the first place," he said. "Just to overcome that, when I'm sure everyone told him he couldn't play sports and probably couldn't function the same as normal people, that's an incredible story and very inspiring.

"Again, it's not losing to someone like that. It's just good to see the recognition of him out there so people can show appreciation for him, too," Michael concluded.

Storer has been working with the Coopers as a Soccer Stars volunteer since the program's early days. Michael described the Highland vice principal's fundraising efforts and other assistance as "colossal."

On Friday, Storer praised Michael for his efforts.

"He is a very quiet young man that you wouldn't even know existed if you didn't know him," he said. "However, he is mature beyond his teenage years. He has a gift of patience and insight into students with issues who are beyond their control.

"It's a pleasure for me to work with him on a volunteer basis," Storer concluded.

Michael plays soccer for Highland, carries an academic workload that has him at the top of the Class of 2013, and volunteers with Soccer Stars.

That much we've established here and that much most in the Highland soccer family already know about him.

What many might not know is that Michael has been battling the ill effects of Crohn's disease, or chronic inflammation of the intestines, since he was 10.

"The symptoms will get severe and I'll be pretty bad for maybe a week or two, at the most, and that can happen a few times a year," he said. "Other than that, I think I manage the symptoms pretty well. I'm not letting it affect me as much as it can."

Michael still hasn't decided where he will go to college, but knows that he wants to purse an education that will result in a career that will allow him to help those with autism or Crohn's disease.

As if anyone who knows him would expect anything less from a kid who has shown himself to always want to lend a helping hand.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here