Director’s Message, May 2026

By Founder Annie B. Carter

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.

With the World Cup coming to the United States soon, soccer will be on the minds of many people this summer. As excitement builds around the world’s game, I find myself reflecting specifically on the soccer community and wanting to share the incredible way it has embraced our family. While invaluable support has come from relationships Holden built in every facet of his life, there is something especially meaningful about the love, kindness, and loyalty we continue to experience from the soccer world. When I think about soccer now, I think about the people who continue showing up for Holden and for the people he loved in ways both big and small.

One of the most poignant moments recently came during the Holden Trent Community Cup. The UNC Men’s Soccer Team presented High Point University Men’s Soccer with a beautiful portrait of Holden playing soccer, signed by their players and coaches. What touched me even more was that they came prepared with a purple marker so the HPU players and coaches could sign it as well. It was thoughtful. Intentional. Loving. One of those moments that reminded me just how deeply Holden mattered to the people around him.

What has also meant so much is seeing people from every chapter of Holden’s soccer journey continue finding ways to stay connected to Goal 13 and give back. Former teammates now serve as mentors, attend Goal 13 events, and continue pouring into young student-athletes in meaningful ways. The Philadelphia Union generously donated signed jerseys for our auction, and former teammates—along with Holden’s former sports agent—have helped secure sports memorabilia and special items for fundraising events. Even the new High Point University Men’s Soccer championship rings have Holden’s name and number engraved inside each ring. None of these things were expected. They were simply acts of kindness from people who loved Holden and wanted to continue honoring him in special ways.

Holden’s friends constantly remind me that people still think about him, still care deeply about him, and still care deeply about me, Liza, and Brie. Holden was blessed beyond measure with incredible friendships, teammates, and coaches, and we continue to feel that love all the time. Their kindness and presence have carried us through some of our hardest moments and continue to bring comfort in ways I cannot fully explain.

And the surprises continue to come. Sometimes they make me smile, and sometimes they bring tears because I am overwhelmed by the special friendships and connections Holden built throughout his life.

The soccer world is actually very small, and yet it continues to wrap its arms around our family in ways I never could have imagined. Through every donation, every shared memory, every event attended, and every effort to help Goal 13 grow, I am reminded that Holden’s impact did not end here. It lives on through people who continue choosing to care, to show up, and to give back.

Soccer was more than a sport to Holden. It was community, family, and a place where he found purpose, belonging, and the freedom to dream beyond limitations. It shaped him not only as an athlete, but as a person. Through the game, he built lifelong friendships, learned resilience, experienced joy, and developed a deep appreciation for the power of people coming together as a team to support and uplift one another.

As we began building Goal 13, we kept coming back to the profound role sports communities played in Holden’s life. We saw an opportunity to meet young people in those same spaces and provide mentorship, character education, and support that helps guide who they are becoming beyond the field.

Goal 13 was founded to help student-athletes in all sports grow through character education, mentorship, and educational programming. Along the way, it has also become a living reminder of the extraordinary power of community, friendship, and love.

To everyone who continues to support Goal 13 and our family, thank you for helping us honor Holden in such meaningful ways and for helping us create something that is truly making a difference in the lives of young people.