Ke’Shawn Foster, a senior at West High School in Manchester, NH, has left his mark as an athlete, student, and aspiring entrepreneur. Named the 2024-2025 Football Captain, Ke’Shawn has also participated in basketball and track, keeping himself active year-round. “I’m big into sports, I like staying active all year,” he shared. His dedication to athletics and leadership on the field has set him apart as a role model among his peers.
Looking ahead, Ke’Shawn hopes to continue his football journey in college while studying business. His dream? To open a café. “I love breakfast food. Breakfast on Christmas morning, my grandma would make grits, bacon, all of it. I have great memories with my family surrounding breakfast,” he reflected. His passion for food and the nostalgia of family meals inspire his entrepreneurial aspirations.
Growing up in the Manchester School District, Ke’Shawn attended Hallsville, Webster, Weston, Parkside, and now West High School. When asked about his favorite classes, he highlighted Pottery with Mr. Cripps and English with Mrs. Balch. “With pottery, it was a space where I could make what came to mind, kinda like cooking. Mr. Cripps supported me in doing my own projects.” English, a subject he once disliked, became a favorite thanks to engaging discussions and literature. “I hated English, but now I love it. The way we go over literature is just fun. The Odyssey is my favorite.” During our conversation, KeShawn was in the middle of a creative project for English, building a kite based on a book he was reading in class.
Reflecting on West’s football season, Ke’Shawn expressed pride in how far the program has come. “The program has come a long way. This year, we turned it around as a team and as a community. We were able to lock in.” He credits much of the team’s success to their coaches. “They made us all believe we could do it,” he said, acknowledging the positive changes and new standards set by the coaching staff.
One of Ke’Shawn’s most memorable moments came during Senior Night. “I had two touchdowns in the game, and it was down to the wire. I knew in my head that Terrance [his co-captain and friend] was gonna get the ball. The game ended with Terrance catching the ball, moving us to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.” This moment encapsulated the hard work, trust, and camaraderie that defined their season. Ke’Shawn’s leadership and performance on the field did not go unnoticed, he was nominated for this Proud Moment by his coach, Andrew Provencher, who described him as “such a great kid.”
Beyond sports, Ke’Shawn values his relationships with his seven siblings and many friends. Balancing athletics, academics, and a part-time job, he remains committed to his goals. Although he plans to leave Manchester for college, he hopes to return to his hometown. He recognizes the misconceptions about Manchester and wants to change the narrative. “Manchester is a good spot. It has a very bad stereotype, but it’s not true. I think there is a lot of beauty and good here.”
Ke’Shawn leaves a powerful message for those striving for success: “For you to achieve something out of grasp, you have to work hard at it and put your eggs in that basket.” His determination, leadership, and passion ensure that wherever he goes, he will continue to make an impact.
