LaBELLE — A straight-A student at Country Oaks Elementary School, Dallen Steelman, recently returned from Spain after being chosen to represent the United States in the 2019 Barca World Cup. Dallen has been playing soccer since he was 4 years old, according to his proud mother, Pam Steelman. As a toddler, he watched his older sister play soccer, which is probably what inspired him to get in the game from an early age.

This talented young athlete has played competitively for nearly five years, on teams in both LaBelle and Naples, before being picked up for the U.S.A. team that was sent to compete in Spain. Dallen was one of 10 children, all from different areas of the country, who came together in just three short practices before taking on the competition. At the Barca World Cup, his team came in second in their bracket, no small feat considering the team members had never even met each other.

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/Pam Maynard Steelman

Dallen Steelman is a soccer player with a heart of gold.

Earning excellent grades and with nearly perfect attendance, having missed school only for the recent trip to Barcelona, this wonderful, driven young man is also a football player who is involved in 4-H shooting sports, and even shows steers with the A-1 Steer Club. Having a heart of gold, Dallen is known for donating a percentage of the money he earns from his steers to his church and other charities. He also raises money, every Thanksgiving, to provide food for the hungry.

As if that wasn’t enough, his signature head bands and long hair is more than just a style choice, as Dallen grows out his long locks in order to donate them to other children who do not have hair due to medical issues. It seems the possibilities are endless and the future looks bright for this inspiring LaBelle youth.

Thanks for making LaBelle — and the U.S.A. — proud, Dallen!