Surrounded by Greatness: Abraham’s Summer of Growth

After completing his first year at the University of Central Florida (UCF), LEAD MFA alumnus Abraham spent the first half of his summer in Philadelphia, training with the football club Philadelphia Lonestar before heading back to campus in July to begin his summer courses. 

Abraham joined LEAD MFA in 2016 and later earned a scholarship to attend Westminster School in 2022 before continuing his academic and athletic journey at UCF. It was a busy summer, but for Abraham, each experience offered an opportunity to grow and prepare for the year ahead.

Finding His Balance

His first year at UCF taught him the importance of adaptability. Adjusting to a new city, college-level coursework, and the demands of being a Division 1 athlete pushed Abraham to become more independent, disciplined, and intentional with his time.

Over the past year, Abraham has learned that growth isn’t only about what happens during a match or in the classroom, but the choices he makes each day. “I realized that the decisions that I make will speak volumes about who I am as a student-athlete,” he said. “This mentality has urged me to fall in love with the process.”

For Abraham, that process includes waking up early for training, staying on top of his academic responsibilities, and putting his best foot forward every day. 

Surrounded by Greatness

This summer, Abraham trained with Philadelphia Lonestar, an experience that challenged him to compete at a high level while learning from talented players and coaches.

“Playing in Philadelphia over the summer was an incredible experience,” he said. “I had the privilege to meet incredible soccer players from different backgrounds. The level was exactly what I needed.”

For Abraham, being surrounded by talented and motivated players was a powerful source of inspiration. “When you’re surrounded by greatness, you want to be great,” he shared.

The experience strengthened his motivation to prepare for his second year at UCF. After dealing with injuries during his freshman year and not getting as much playing time as he had hoped, Abraham is eager to return to the field and make an impact this fall.

“I am looking forward to competing at the highest level possible again,” he said, “but this time, with the intention of pushing myself beyond my limits.”

Abraham also plans to return to Philadelphia next summer to continue training and build on the progress he made this year.

Bonds Beyond Borders 

Some of his favorite moments from the summer, however, happened away from the pitch. While in Philadelphia, Abraham stayed with his uncle and spent time with two close friends from Liberia who were also in the area during their school breaks. Training together in the early mornings, the three bonded over their shared goals, love for football, and commitment to helping one another grow.

The close-knit community gave Abraham a sense of connection and encouragement during his time in Philadelphia. Being surrounded by friends who shared his values and ambitions reminded him that growth does not happen alone.

Building Toward What’s Next

Abraham sees a strong connection between these experiences and the foundation he built at LEAD MFA. “LEAD MFA prepared me for college very well,” he said. “The staff taught us to compete at a high standard both on the field and in the classroom.” It’s a mindset he carried with him when he studied at Westminster School from 10th through 12th grade. 

As he prepares for his sophomore fall, Abraham is focused on building upon the lessons of his first year, continuing to improve, and embracing the work required to reach his goals.

His message to younger LEAD students is rooted in a familiar phrase: “Work hard, be a leader, dream big,” the school slogan of LEAD MFA. 

“I know the school slogan has been drilled into us,” Abraham said, “but I want you guys to believe in yourself because you can become whoever you want to become.”

For Abraham, those words are more than a slogan. They are a reminder that growth takes consistency, discipline, and belief in what is possible. As he enters his second year at UCF, he is carrying those lessons with him, ready to keep learning, keep improving, and continue building toward his future.