FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A high school senior, who arrived to the U.S. from Haiti three years ago, graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School on Tuesday.
Fredlin Mompremier is not only an outstanding student, who maintained an average 3.5 GPA in school despite barely knowing English when he arrived, but a great soccer player who was named the Haitian Soccer Association's Student Athlete of the Year.
"I remember the first day I went to school. A girl walking me to class and she was speaking, blah, blah blah. I didn't understand a word," Mompremier said. "Now I talk to everybody. This year was very good. I'm happy."
Mompremier was also awarded a full soccer scholarship to the University of Tampa.
The teen was sent to the states by his mother shortly after his father died and she could no longer support him. He lives alone in an efficiency two blocks from school, and his cousin is listed as his guardian in the school system.
"Sometimes I cried. Sometimes I hear a voice outside, and I'm Christian and (I) open my bible and read some story and go back to sleep," Mompremier said.
Mompremier began playing soccer competitively shortly after his arrival to Florida and is one of the top goal scorers and players in the state. He also shined while representing Haiti in a U20 FIFA Tournament in April 2014.
Haitian Soccer Association president Matias Casares said Mompremier has overcome many obstacles since he arrived in the states, including some days were he was forced to find a way to feed himself and discipline himself despite being away from his mother.
Casares said Mompremier has had multiple athletic opportunities offered to him, but plans to focus primarily on his education.
"Fredlin has had offers to go play and train with many professional teams but has chosen our guidance and accepted a full scholarship awarded to him directly by the head (soccer) coach of Tampa, coach Adrian," Casares said.
Mompremier said he will head to Haiti to celebrate with his mother after his graduation.
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