The fall and winter months continue to be difficult for senior Alexander Walker, but he finds a way to stay focused. Walker takes all AP and TCC classes, is a captain on the varsity football team, and holds leadership positions in NHS, Student Council and Academic Decathlon.
“I am fueled by competition so everything that I do I want to compete in,” Walker said. “I take school as a competition for me to better myself”.
Walker began playing football in fourth grade. Growing up, he also played baseball, basketball and soccer. He also runs varsity track.
“I have been influenced by my mom and my sisters. They helped guide me through how to build a college resume and of course being a good member of society,” Walker said. “I plan to go play college football and become an aerospace engineer [after high school]”.
Walker’s older sister Ms. Abbigayle Marion and father Coach Mark Walker both work at Legacy as a teacher and coach, respectively. Ms. Marion taught Xander in her AP World History class two years ago.
“I will always remember last year, it was a fun experience,” Ms. Marion said. “Granted, Xander probably would not do it again. Let’s just say, he did not get ‘special treatment’, but it was a great memory for both of us. I feel like getting to teach at the same school as my brother and sister will always be an opportunity I will be grateful I took.”
Being in school with family is nothing new for the Walker family. Xander’s mother is an assistant principal at Cleburne High School, and Walker’s other older sister, Emma Marion, graduated from Legacy as the valedictorian of the class of 2023.
“I am extremely proud of him. He’s always been my little buddy but getting to watch him grow into the young man he is today is pretty remarkable. To hear him talk about connections he’s made or things he’s learned makes me realize just how much change can happen in a few years,” Ms. Marion said.”I can only imagine what senior year will look like.”
Xander created plans and methods to follow in order to stay on top of his schoolwork, practice and other activities.
“At this point, routine and sticking to it is the best way I know if I want to achieve the goals that I set for myself then I must stick to the grind,” Xander said. “In season is a lot harder to achieve success on and off the field so some things might have to be sacrificed.”
