From student government to the soccer field, Oliver Badir made the most of his time at Myers Park High School. Now the lifelong Dilworth resident is headed to the University of Florida.
Oliver Badir recently graduated from Myers Park High School after balancing a rigorous academic schedule, varsity soccer, leadership roles in the Student Government Association and an after-school job. This fall he will attend the University of Florida, where he plans to study pre-law or business.
A soccer family
Soccer has been part of Badir's story for as long as he can remember.
"My brother and my dad played soccer together when I was still crawling around, so I didn't really have a choice but to play with them," Badir says with a laugh. "We have always been a soccer family, and I wouldn't want it any other way."
He played varsity soccer for Myers Park and competed in the ECNL program with Charlotte Soccer Academy. Speed, strength and free kicks set him apart, but the relationships are what he treasures.
"The most rewarding part of soccer was definitely the culture around the school team," he says. "The camaraderie, friendships and laughs were all worth it. Not to mention playing in front of friends and families on Friday nights, especially this past season when the stands were packed."
One of the most meaningful moments of his soccer career came in Myers Park's state semifinal last fall, days after the school community had lost a friend.
"We ended up losing, but the way the Myers Park community came together in support and stayed until the end was beautiful," Badir recalls. "It made that game a really positive memory for me. I still think about that night all the time."
Dances, deadlines and discipline
Away from the field, Badir served in the Student Government Association, helping organize school dances and events. As a student in the International Baccalaureate Programme, the school's demanding academic track, he learned time management the hard way.
"I had so little time to fit everything in, that it actually created a structure where I had no choice but to get things done whenever I had a free moment," he says. "I was much more efficient when I was busy. More than now, for example."
Asked who inspires him, Badir points to a longtime teammate and friend who was named the state's soccer player of the year. "I drew inspiration from his relentless dedication to soccer and tried to apply that sort of mindset to aspects of my life," he says. "His discipline is really impressive, and I think everyone could take a page out of his book."
His advice for younger students on college applications: "Do everything way earlier than you think you need to," he says. "Things pile up, and you don't want to submit your applications thinking you had more to give."
What they say about him
His mother, Marina Badir, credits his friendships. "All throughout high school, Oliver somehow managed to maintain high academic expectations while being actively involved in student government, varsity soccer and holding an after-school job," she says. "I believe it was deep friendships and connections that helped Oliver navigate the highs and lows of high school with grace and joy."
Spanish teacher Bethany Lee saw the same in the classroom. "Throughout our time together, Oliver displayed many of the qualities that set him apart: his commitment to global citizenship, his courage to address sensitive issues, his humility in seeking guidance and his diplomacy in encouraging change."
This story appears in the July 2026 issue of Stroll Dilworth.