Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League

 
Emmanuel Hilton is an orphan from the Democratic Republic of Congo who came to America to live with a family who wanted to care for and love him. He was born without lower legs and was missing three fingers on his left hand. Originally abandoned, he was cared for by his maternal grandmother before being placed in an orphanage where he learned to play and love the game of soccer. He had just undergone an operation to help fit him for prosthetics when two Americans on a church mission first met him. What captured the hearts of Michelle and Pastor Gary Hilton, his adoptive family, was the smile they saw in his photographs. His journey to America took four exasperating years due to the political strife in his country. Thanks to the Hiltons, the past is behind Emmanuel now. At Blackhawk High School, he is part of a four-player goal tender rotation on his junior varsity soccer team. When he’s on the pitch, he doesn’t consider himself disabled. Despite his physical challenges, Emmanuel can still stop opponents from scoring. Cougar Soccer Coach Bryan Vitali praises his attitude and credits him with rallying his teammates on game day and at practice. Emmanuel is an inspiration to the entire student body at Blackhawk.