Emmanuel Hilton - John Challis Courage Award Winner & WPIAL Hall of Fame Inductee
Emmanuel was an orphan from the Democratic Republic of Congo - a nation torn by war and political upheaval. As a baby, Emmanuel was abandoned by his mother due to his unique physical challenges -- no lower legs and missing three fingers on his left hand. He was living at an orphanage when Michelle and Gary Hilton, on a church mission to the Congo, first met him. It would take 4 long years for the Hiltons to be able to adopt Emmanuel and bring him to the United States.
Emmanuel first learned to play and love soccer while in the orphanage. At Blackhawk, he is a part of a four-player goaltender rotation on the junior varsity soccer team. When he is on the pitch he doesn't consider himself disabled. Even without legs, he can still stop opponents from scoring. Cougar Soccer Coach Bryan Vitali praises Emmanuel's attitude and credits him with rallying his teammates and for his inspiration every day.
Emmanuel has also earned 2 varsity letters as a member of the Blackhawk wrestling team.
Our congratulations to such a remarkable student athlete!
Posted: Wednesday, April 12, 2017