Trent Hicinbothem is well aware of the stereotype some have when it comes to the culture at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School in New Kensington.
“There’s other students trying to make a change, but in our area, people write us off: ‘Oh, they’re the Valley kids,’” said Hicinbothem, 17. “That’s the difference I want to make, is that image.”
So Hicinbothem, a senior, is taking the matter into his own hands. Athletically, he has participated on Valley’s soccer, football and tennis teams.
He also pitches in at other events. He has announced girls soccer games, timed swim meets, helped with a Meet the Vikings community night for student-athletes and volunteers at boys’ basketball games.
“We’re doing things around here to make a more positive athletic culture, a successful athletic culture,” said Joe Skura, athletic director at Valley. “Trent bought into that right away.”
Participation in some sports at Valley isn’t easy.
Growing up, Hicinbothem played club soccer, getting a love for the game and its fundamental skills. But not many students at Valley are introduced to soccer at a young age, he said, which led to older teammates turning to Hicinbothem for tips on techniques and advice.
With games against higher-level teams and private schools, Valley’s record took a hit, and the team suffered some blowout losses.
“It was tough, but I learned how to take a loss and face adversity,” he said.
Still, Hicinbothem tries to ignore negative talk about Valley’s sports teams in the hallway and community. He, instead, hopes he can be a role model for younger students.
“I don’t want them to look up and see losses and not even try to entertain it,” he said. “The younger kids coming up, I want to get them interested in it.”
At least one student is following in Hicinbothem’s footsteps — his younger brother, Jude, a freshman. Years ago, Jude watched Trent kicking for Valley’s football team. This fall, Jude, 15, joined the football team.
Skura said Hicinbothem’s family also makes a positive mark in the Valley community. His father, Adam, is an assistant boys soccer coach. His mother, Ellen, is heavily involved in booster clubs.
Jude is on the basketball team, and the boys have a younger sister, Jane, 9, “who is a joy,” Skura said.
“(Trent’s) one of my go-to people,” Skura said. “He’s reliable and committed to the things he does.
“He works hard in the classroom and works hard on the field. He steps up in leadership positions. When I need a student to step up, he’s at the top of my list.”
Jude even followed in his brother’s footsteps in attending Valley High School.
Trent Hicinbothem was cyber schooled before choosing to attend Valley in-person his sophomore year.
“It’s astounding the bonds I formed,” he said. “That’s something I love about Valley: it’s a welcoming group. I’m introverted by nature, and a lot of kids on the soccer team pulled me out. I got adopted.”
Said Skura: “That’s a tribute to his personality. He’s a giver.”
Hicinbothem is also a member of the Student Athlete Council, National Honor Society, Student Council and Ski Club. He was MVP of the Quiz Bowl last year.
“Student Athlete Council is something I started this year,” Skura said. “We don’t have officers, but if we did, Trent would be an officer.”
Hicinbothem’s efforts to improve the culture at Valley also touch on aesthetics.
In addition to academics and athletics, Hicinbothem recently worked to beautify and clean up the bleachers area of Valley’s stadium.
“I couldn’t have it give a bad impression,” he said. “We had paint peeling. It looked like nobody cared. So many people see that and the reputation it gives is important.”
He earned an Eagle Scout badge, the highest award in Scouting, for the project earlier this month.
“The purpose of an Eagle Scout project is to give back to the place that basically raised me. I just wanted to do something nice to the school. We get a bad rap from the community.”
Upon graduation this spring, Hicinbothem plans to attend college and study engineering. His top college choices include the University of Pittsburgh, Lehigh University and the Colorado School of Mines.