The Goal 13 Huddle
Stories, milestones, and momentum from Goal 13.
May Reflection
As we wrap up our final month working with the U13, U14, and U15 players at Carolina Core FC Academy, I find myself reflecting on what has truly made this inaugural year so meaningful.
2nd Annual Golf Tournament & Kicks for a Cause Party
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 30, 2026 as Goal 13 Foundation hosts the 2nd Annual Holden Trent Goal 13 Golf Tournament and Kicks for a Cause Evening Celebration. We are excited to bring our community together for a day filled with fun, fellowship, and purpose as we continue honoring Holden’s legacy while raising support for the young student-athletes served through Goal 13’s character education, mentorship, and educational programming.
Players of the Month: Archie & Diego
At Goal 13, growth is measured by more than performance—it’s about who these young athletes are becoming. This month, we are proud to recognize Archie and Diego as our Players of the Month for the way they are embracing character, mentorship, and development both on and off the field.
Volunteer Spotlight: Jonathan Bolaños
This May, we’re continuing to honor the people behind the mission — the mentors, relationships, and everyday leadership that bring Goal 13 to life. Jonathan Bolaños represents that mission in a powerful way, not just through what he’s accomplished, but through how he now gives back.
Coach Dunn’s Corner: Community & Coming Together
One of the most important things we can teach young people through athletics and mentorship is the value of community. No athlete, student, coach, or leader succeeds alone. Behind every successful individual is a group of people who encouraged them, challenged them and helped them grow along the way. At Goal 13, we believe community is about more than simply being connected, but about coming together with a willingness to support something bigger than ourselves. When young people experience genuine community, they begin to understand that they are never meant to walk through life alone.
Director’s Message, May 2026
There are moments in this journey with Goal 13 that completely catch me off guard—in the most amazing ways.
Almost daily, I find myself overwhelmed by the goodness of people. The phone calls. The text messages. Friends from all over continuing to show up for events and support our family. People giving their time, passion, energy, and resources to help Goal 13 grow and to continue loving us in Holden’s absence. It is impossible to fully describe what that means to me.
Holden Trent Community Cup: March 2026
The Holden Trent Community Cup was held March 28, 2026 and was much more than just a day of soccer. It was a joyful celebration of Holden’s life, using the sport he loved to bring people together in a meaningful way.
Volunteer Spotlight: Josh Baker
We’re honoring the people behind the mission — the relationships, character, and mentorship that bring Goal 13 to life every single day. Few people understand that impact more personally than Josh Baker.
For Josh, being part of Goal 13 isn’t just involvement — it’s deeply connected to someone who shaped him.
Character Trait of the Month: Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the foundational traits we strive to develop in every young person connected to sports. It goes beyond simply showing up-it’s about commitment to people and principles even when circumstances become difficult. For a student-athlete, loyalty means standing by their teammates, trusting their coaches, and remaining dedicated to the process even when results aren’t immediate. For parents and supporters, loyalty shows up in the consistent encouragement, accountability, and belief you pour into these young people day after day. This kind of steady presence is what creates environments where growth can truly take place.
Players of the Month: Hector & Thomas
At Goal 13, growth is measured by more than performance—it’s about who these young athletes are becoming. This month, we are proud to recognize Hector and Thomas as our Players of the Month for the way they are embracing character, mentorship, and development both on and off the field.
Director’s Message, April 2026
I have been thinking a lot about how meaningful change truly happens. I don’t believe it is through large, impersonal efforts, but through small, intentional moments. Conversations around a kitchen table. Stories shared at a party or event. It is the simple act of bringing people together with a sense of real purpose sharing thoughts and ideas.
Volunteer Spotlight: Ricky Ceballos
Effort & Drive — the daily commitment to show up, push forward, and raise the standard for yourself and the people around you. Few relationships capture that spirit more clearly than the one between Ricky Ceballos and Holden Trent.
Character Trait of the Month: Effort & Drive
Effort and drive should be at the heart of everything we teach and reinforce with young student-athletes. While talent may open doors, it is effort that sustains progress and drive that pushes individuals past their limits. We constantly remind student-athletes that effort is a decision they control every single day, regardless of circumstances. Whether it’s in training sessions, classrooms, or personal development, the standard remains the same–show up and give your best. This mindset builds better athletes and more disciplined and resilient individuals.
Perseverance: Holden’s Quiet Battle
Perseverance is often described as the ability to keep going when things are difficult. For my son Holden, perseverance was not a motivational phrase or a lesson in a book. It was simply the way he lived his life.
Volunteer Spotlight: Nick Phipps
Perseverance is the courage to keep showing up, keep growing, and keep believing, even when the path isn’t easy. Few people embody that spirit more fully than Nick Phipps.
Director’s Message, February 2026
Life is never a straight line. We all experience moments of joy and heartbreak, clarity and doubt, success and failure. I believe what defines us most is how we respond when life doesn’t go as planned. It is how we show up for our families, how we care for our communities, and how we choose to keep living life with meaning and purpose, even when the road becomes difficult.
Character Trait of the Month: Perseverance
In the world of athletics, we often celebrate the podium moments, but the true essence of an athlete is forged in the "grit" of the comeback. Every athlete, regardless of their level, will eventually face the universal setback of performance stagnation or minor injuries.