Mr. Do-it-All, Jeremiah Bonds, is a senior here at Sahuaro High School and one of the most well-rounded students on campus. He’s not only the star kicker for the football team, holding offers from Oregon and Arizona, but also a standout soccer player with an impressive record of success. When asked how he ended up on the football field, Jeremiah said, “Coach Al asked me to play football since freshman year, and I finally gave in this year because it’s my senior year, why not?” What makes his athletic journey even more impressive is that soccer has always been his first love.
Jeremiah began playing soccer at just five years old and has played the striker position for Sahuaro’s varsity team since his freshman year. The striker, being the team’s main attacker, is a position filled by some of the game’s greatest names: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Pelé, and Harry Kane. For Jeremiah, Messi was the biggest influence on his playing style and drive. “Seeing the way Messi played made me want to get as good as him,” he said, “and that passion kept me going from such a young age.”
That passion certainly paid off and hasn’t changed one bit; Jeremiah’s club soccer team went to state and won three years in a row, an incredibly astounding and impressive achievement that displays his dedication, skill, and leadership. His motivation hasn’t always come easily, though. During COVID, Jeremiah lost his uncle; this was a moment that deeply affected him and could’ve affected him negatively, but instead of letting the loss slow him down, he used it as fuel to work harder, saying that it “motivated me to get back fit and good at soccer.”
Outside of athletics, Jeremiah continues to excel both in and out of school. He maintains a 3.8 GPA, serves as Student Body Treasurer, and is an active youth representative at his church. He is even on a step team! Jeremiah’s intelligence, something he calls his biggest strength, helps him balance academics, sports, and leadership responsibilities with ease. Jeremiah also comes from a large family of five kids and is the second oldest, which has taught him patience, responsibility, and how to lead by example.
Originally from Pennsylvania and Florida, Jeremiah has lived in many different places, which may have helped shape his adaptable and friendly personality. Since moving to Arizona, he’s become someone many students look up to. Personally, when I was new to Sahuaro, Jeremiah helped me feel welcomed and not alone during our sixth-period badminton class. He’s the type of person who always keeps a smile on his face and somehow makes everyone around him smile, too.
With his athletic ability, academic strength, and positive attitude, Jeremiah Bonds truly lives up to his nickname, Mr. Do-it-All.
