Classroom Champions: Live Oak’s Jaeden McNamara

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Live Oak high school senior star Jaeden McNamara feels at home playing for the Falcons. After spending two years at a public school, McNamara is where he belongs.

“It’s a much different experience than it was at public school,” said McNamara. “At public school, it’s like Friday night lights. You’re out there for your own glory. I feel like as a team at Live Oak, we play for each other and we play as a family.”

The All-District performer was unanimously voted as team captain after just one season at Live Oak.

“It meant a lot to me,” said McNamara. “We lost a lot of seniors last year and I feel like my team trusts me in order to lead this team. We’ve got a lot of young guys here and they’ve put a lot of faith in me. I appreciate each and everyone one of them.”

Jaeden embodies what it means to be a leader. As an officer of the Texas Boy’s State Leadership, he’s greatly developed as a vocal leader both on and off the field.

“Jaeden’s a great kid and he’s been a great leader for us,” said Live Oak head football coach Matt Hurst. “In the last two years, he’s done an excellent job. He’s developed as a vocal leader and he’s naturally just a great kid that’s not super talkative, but he’s developed on the vocal side of it. I couldn’t be more proud of the young man that he is.”

On top of his 3.98 GPA, Jaeden plans to attend Texas A&M University next fall to study business. Before he leaves town, he’s focused on leading a Bible study he helped start at school.

“We get at least 20, 25 kids coming up every morning,” said McNamara. “We started from about five and we’ve grown about 20 kids and hope to continue growing and even get people that aren’t in football to grow with us in Christ.”

Congratulations to Jaeden McNamara, you’re a Classroom Champion!

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