The hallways of Garfield High School are full of surprises. Maybe, for instance, you weren’t aware that that one quiet girl who sits behind you in chemistry is one of the best shuffleboard players in the country. Or it’s possible that you didn’t know that that one kid (you can’t seem to remember his name) who always asked to borrow your math book lived on another continent for the first twelve years of his life.

Pape Mbaye is that guy. He moved to Seattle two years and ten months ago. He didn’t speak a word of English, and didn’t know a single person here. What he did know, however, was how to play ball.

Ever since the day he started walking, Mbaye played soccer. Whether it was his genes or perhaps his shoes, Mbaye was born to play soccer, as it is Senegal’s, his native country’s, national sport.

“We used to get together a couple friends and just play on the streets, just for fun,” said Mbaye. “Sometimes, on the weekends, we would find another group and put in money and then whoever won got paid.”

His favorite position is center back, but given his background in pick-up street soccer, Mbaye is well-versed in all spots on the field. Goal keeper and right back are other places in which he excels.

“Compared to the people in Senegal I am alright, but I get to be the superstar here because I am better than most,” said Mbaye. “No offense.”

Mbaye and his family lived in Senegal for the first five years of his life, allowing him to realize his talent and passion for soccer. From Senegal, he moved to Paris, France. French is the official language of Senegal so the transition was not too hard on the family, but Mbaye missed certain aspects of his home country.

“Paris was nice, but it was too crowded,” Mbaye said. “You can’t play in the streets of Paris because they are too small and packed.”

Once Mbaye made it to the states, he became interested in other sports as well and started branching out from just soccer. His quickness and agility came in handy when his friend, Biggie, convinced him to try out for football. But even landing himself a varsity spot at running back or cornerback and scoring the team’s first touchdown was not nearly enough to dull his passion for futbol. Even the track coach seems to want a piece of the action.

“[The Coach] keeps calling me trying to get me to sign up for it,” Mbaye said. “Except I don’t think I can because I would have to not play soccer and I don’t think I could do that. Maybe in college.”

No matter how much sports take over his life, though, Mbaye is constantly thinking about his future. His aspirations lie in the field of engineering though he is not quite sure yet exactly where.

“I was trying to go for information engineering but now I think I’ve changed my mind and I’m trying to do aviation,” he said.

The dream school for Mbaye would be one that not only has a good engineering program and sports teams, but also one that is close to home. He has lived and traveled with his family for the entire eighteen years of his life, and leaving them now is something Mbaye would rather not do. Even the prospect of being two hours away in Bellingham, attending Western Washington University (which he already got accepted to) is a tough decision for Mbaye.

“I got in to Western so I want to look there,” said Mbaye. “But at the same time I don’t want to leave Seattle because I don’t have any family down there,” .

The most admirable trait that Mbaye possesses is not his ability to bend a ball like Beckham. Nor is it his lightning speed on the track. Pape Mbaye moved to a foreign land, knowing only his native languages and cultures. He quickly made friends, admittedly mostly through sports, and planned for his future, not just on the soccer field.

Although Mbaye himself is a role model for younger kids, assimilating into different cultures with ease and grace, he was particularly inspired by El Hadji Diouf, a Senegalese soccer superstar.

Last summer, Mbaye went back to Senegal. To his dismay, many of his childhood comrades had, like him, moved away to Europe or America. He hopes to one day return, possibly for good. His dream is to play professional soccer, maybe even on a team with his idol. Sure, it’s cliché, but if he works hard enough, Mbaye can surely achieve anything. Who knows, the World Cup is only one year away…

So the next time you happen to be in your language arts class, counting the seconds until the bell sets you free, turn around and actually talk to the stranger in the seat behind you. You may just meet the coolest person on the planet.