For years Albert Harvell has been on top of things. Throughout his high school career he has maintained at least a 3.8 grade point average, while playing three sports all four years. Football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring have kept him busy along with honors and AP classes. “I probably spend more time with my friends than my family,” he says.

“I see them for just about four hours on an average day.” An average day for Harvell starts with AP and honors classes, then after school he has practice from 2:30 to about 6:00, and sometimes games can go until 8:00 in the evening. Although it is generally “easy, it can get hard” when games stretch late into the evening. His parents are also very supportive, keeping him “on track” and “striving for better.”

They always encouraged him to take the “tough classes” through senior year so it will benefit him in the long run. On an average night with college type homework, he has only four hours to study and finish his homework and be to bed in time for class the next day. “It’s hard sometimes,” he says. “But school always came first.” His dad pulled him into football and baseball when he was nine, basketball when he was 13. For six years he has played all three year round and doesn’t regret it.

In his senior year, his team went to a couple of passing tournaments which were a first for him. “We (the team) did well,” with a first place and other top finishes, which made Harvell proud. His senior year was his best year. His worst was his freshman year, when he broke his ankle. “I was bummed,” he said regretfully. “I was only allowed to play for a few games.” His social life doesn’t seem to take a toll on he being busy.

He says that his friends “are like a second family” and he sees them more than he does his own. His friends had nothing bad to say about him. Arcelia Hernandez said that he is a great leader, always trustworthy, and has great advice. Cynthia Pizano has known him for most of high school and says he is “appreciative, dedicated and goal oriented.” In addition to being a good friend, he has also been there for her. He has helped her to “do good in school,” and pushed her to be a “better person,” Pizano says. She added that “you can count on him to give you a good laugh.”

For a multi-talented, college bound student, he really doesn’t know where he is going yet. Stanislaus, Sacramento, and Willamette University are among his first choices. AT this point his major is also undecided.

In sports he is largely successful in a sense that he always sets his goals very high, and he said he has achieved them most of the time. One goal he has not achieved, however, was to receive the MVP for any year of high school. In his self-less way, he proclaims that he should have received it. He received All Area Second Team this year, but he said he should have received first. His favorite positions include receiver and strong safety for football, left field on baseball, and shooting guard for basketball. His coaches say all good things bout him. Baseball coach Vic Sanchez said that Harvell has come a long way both offensively and defensively on the field and is on his way to become a “well rounded baseball player.”