Being a two time 1st team All District in football, a one time 1st team All District in basketball, an honorable mention in basketball, and a three time academic All District nominee in both football and basketball, it’s no wonder how Dre Sanders became the March student of the month. 

Sanders credits his strong work ethic, positive attitude, responsibility, and most of all his leadership as the qualities that made his nomination possible. These characteristics are not just given on a silver platter, however. They are hard earned.

“My biggest challenge during high school has been my lack of confidence in the things I do,” Sanders said. “I can often have doubts about certain things and it causes me to overthink.”

This obstacle hasn’t stopped Sanders from doing good towards his school and community. An impact that will be remembered by the future students of Kilgore High.

“What makes me the most proud at Kilgore High School is being able to make positive impacts on the people around me daily, and being able to be a good friend, and a person that can be counted on,” Sanders said.

To be good is both nature and nurture. There’s no doubt that Sanders is who he is today thanks to the help of his mother. It’s important to give credit where credit is due.

“The most influential person in my life is definitely my mom,” Sanders said. “She has always been there for me everyday, good or bad. She always makes sure I am on top of all the things I have going and she makes so many sacrifices for me and shows me that you have to do those things for your family and the people you love.”

This includes your time spent in and out of school. The impact of school, especially at this age, is hardly talked about. That does not mean inspiration isn’t there, and for Sanders, that inspiration is Coach Mason McCormack.

“I will definitely have to say Coach McCormack because he is a teacher that I can come to at any time, with anything that I have on my mind, good or bad,” Sanders said.

While also in school, as previously mentioned, Sanders is one of the strongest football players this year. That is in large part due to his passion for the sport and the time he’s willing to spend practicing. He displayed both on the field during the past Fall and Spring Season.

“I would have to say football,” Sanders said. “Being able to play with the people that I literally grew up with on the high school team is a memory that will forever stay with me.”

Once Sanders graduates, the class he will miss the most is his practicum marketing period. The class he shares with all of his closest friends who he’s seen grow up and mature with him. To him, the class “never has a dull moment.”

“My marketing class has taught me the most because all the talks we have and the things we do all relate to life and the adulthood I am about to enter,” Sanders said. “Knowing and learning more about the way of life is definitely a big thing for me. My favorite memory is when we went to the AT&T Stadium. It was just so cool being able to go look at all the things that the stadium had to offer.”

On the other hand, outside of school, Sanders prefers to play the game with his friends and go to church on Wednesday nights. Any chance he gets to hang out with his friends is “always going to be a good time.”

Within the community, Sanders enjoys his time helping out with youth sports and being an inspiration to the young kids who look up to him. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment. The present can be so distracting that it’s difficult to plan for the future and what’s ahead. Luckily, Sanders has a pretty good idea on what life for him will be like in 10 years time.

“I see myself fresh out of college with the love of my life,” Sanders said. “In a big city, with a nice apartment, or house, and starting to have a family with a good paying job and just being successful overall.”

After graduating from Kilgore High, Sanders plans to attend Midwestern State University to play collegiate football, which he describes as a “dream of mine.” Furthermore, he wants to major in finance because of his interest in working with a lot of numbers.

For all of us, there is someone, alive or dead, that we all want to have just one more conversation with. For Sanders, that is his Meme.

“I would definitely talk to my Meme about the way of life and how I can continue to better myself everyday,” Sanders said. “She was such an inspiring person and someone you can always talk to.”

Throughout all of life’s trials and tribulations, Sanders does his best to live by the guiding quote due to his acknowledgement of the fact he may not be the most talented, but his determination to improve will carry him far.

“Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”