Whiz Kid: Menvekeh Daramay

Menvekeh Daramay’s success story began a half a world away.  It continues at Upper Moreland with even more successful chapters yet to be written.

Daramay first arrived in America when he was in fourth grade.  He came to the U.S. from the African nation of Guinea and was barely able to speak any English.

Six years later, Daramay is at the top of his senior class at Upper Moreland and recently led the Golden Bears soccer team to a .

Now that his soccer season is history and graduation is fast approaching, Daramay is taking time to reflect on what has been a remarkable journey.

“I have had a chance to do that,” said Daramay. “In life, I consider myself lucky to be in this country with ample opportunities I wouldn’t have had where I came from.  I was just lucky to come into a family that encouraged me and helped me with everything.”

One of the things Daramay was encouraged to participate in was soccer. He became one of the top players in the area this past fall and led Upper Moreland to a remarkable run that resulted in the program’s first ever District 1 Class AA title. 

The Bears knocked off Harriton in the semifinals with the help of a pair of goals by Daramay.  They went on to upset Holy Ghost Prep in the district finals. The Bears lost to Archbishop Wood in the state tournament, but the defeat didn’t damper the incredible season put together by Daramay and his teammates.

“It was a terrific season this year because of how much we accomplished,” Daramay said. “We may not have had the best talent of the four years I’ve been in high school, but we had the best camaraderie, and we worked together as a team.  I think that’s one of the big reasons we went as far as we did.”

Soccer is a big part of Daramay’s life.  For those who don’t appreciate the impact of athletics both on and off the field, consider how soccer gave Daramay the chance to build confidence, as well as friendships, since his arrival in the United States.

“It was a phenomenal thing,” said Daramay.  “The fact that I got to play soccer and I love the sport so much gave me an opportunity for a lot of things. When I first came here, I barely spoke any English.”

While Daramay began learning the English language, the language of soccer gave his the chance to meet people.

“I just picked up a soccer ball over the summer,” Daramay said.  “People saw me play.  They thought I was really good and asked me to play in a league.  I jumped at the opportunity.  I signed up for intramural soccer. From then on, I just met more and more kids through soccer.  Some of my closest friends now are people I met playing soccer.”

Daramay’s teammates thought highly of the African native as both a player and as a person.  He served as the team captain this past season and realizes what a tremendous honor the captaincy carries.

“That was very much an honor,” said Daramay. “They respect me, and I respect them.  I treated them the same way I would want anyone to treat me.”

Daramay’s foster parents gave him plenty of encouragement in both academics and athletics. Daramay also stays in touch with his family in Guinea.

All of those close to Daramay were thrilled to see the senior make Penn his college choice. After barely being able to speak English, Daramay will be getting an Ivy League education.  He will major in pre-med and hopes to one day become a doctor. 

As much as Daramay enjoys soccer, he realizes he may not have the chance to play at the college level.

“I am trying to play,” Daramay said.  “But I wasn’t recruited.  The worst-case scenario will be that I will walk on and try out.  I can still play club soccer if it doesn’t work out.”

Daramay’s success story won’t be measured on his chances of playing soccer at Penn.  However, soccer will always be one of the biggest reasons a young man from an African country completed his model of the American dream.

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Have a Whiz Kid story you'd like for us to tell? Contact editor Gerry Dungan at gerrydungan@patch.com.