FSLM Student Profile
/Meet Zephaniah Black
By Baylor McLelland
In most high schools, it takes a lot for a student to be universally liked by their peers; it’s rare to find someone who everyone genuinely enjoys being around. But for Zephaniah Black, a junior student-athlete at Arkansas High School, popularity hasn’t been much of a challenge.
photo by shane darby.
“His character and dedication set a standard for all to follow,” biology teacher Colette Reid said.
At 16, Zephaniah is not only a student on his high school campus but also part of the Arkansas High School Collegiate Academy at UAHT. This unique opportunity allows him to chase his dreams at a faster pace than if he had stayed solely at Arkansas High.
“If [collegiate] sports don’t work out, I plan to go to Fayetteville, get a degree in biology, and then go to medical school to become an anesthesiologist,” he explained. “The Collegiate Academy is helping me by knocking out two years of school already.”
This accelerated route gives Zephaniah more freedom than the traditional high school path, offering him a glimpse into adult responsibilities. “You have more freedom since they treat you like an adult,” he said. “Your priorities come first. If you’re a day behind, those grades aren’t going to be put in anytime soon.”
“He’s a student first and an athlete second.”
Despite the pressures of balancing college-level courses with high school life, extracurriculars, and sports, Zephaniah handles it all with remarkable ease. “I’m involved in student council, football, track, and Razorback TV, and I was in wrestling, but this year I couldn’t compete because I was too busy with school and track,” he shared, offering a glimpse into his packed schedule.
Zephaniah has made a name for himself in each of these activities, with classmates and loved ones always cheering him on. “My family, my teachers, my peers, and other students like Izaih Ivy and Isaiah Erwin—they help me keep my head up,” he said. Ivy and Erwin, fellow football players at Arkansas High, have become his close friends over the years, united by their love for the sport. “When I’m feeling down, they cheer me up and help me get through the day.”
Though football is important to him, Zephaniah’s true passion lies in track. “I feel most motivated by track,” he said. “I carried on with the school’s track team through May, and as soon as that ended, we started Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) track, which runs until August.” Over the summer, he worked with The Black Mambas, a local track team that travels across the country. “By the time we get to the Junior Olympics, we’ve already raced people from all over the US, so we have the confidence we need,” he said.
Despite battling a broken ankle for most of the 2023 summer track season, Zephaniah still managed to secure first place in the 100-meter dash and second place in the 200-meter dash at a meet in Las Vegas. This year, he pulled his hamstring at the first meet, but even injury didn’t stop him from supporting his team. “I’m looking forward to redeeming myself and taking Arkansas High’s 100- and 200-meter records,” he said, his determination unwavering.
It’s not just his athletic prowess that sets him apart. In the classroom, Zephaniah’s teachers recognize his strong work ethic. “He’s a student first and an athlete second,” said Hannah Hubrel, who was his freshman biology teacher.
Zephaniah balances his academic and athletic commitments with grace, showing his peers and teachers alike what it means to work hard. His ability to excel in multiple arenas is impressive, but it’s his attitude and humility that truly make him stand out.
photos by kevin sutton at txk sports.
Beyond school, Zephaniah is also passionate about giving back to his community.
“This winter, my dad and I are planning to go out and feed the homeless and give them free haircuts,” he shared. “We’re trying to get some local barbers involved to help out. It’s a big plan we both want to make happen.”
This isn’t the first time he’s stepped up to help others; he is a former member of The Omega Flames, a group that would “pack things and distribute them to the homeless, just like we do in student council,” he said.
Zephaniah said that the personal growth he experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled him to thrive. “I really had to mature,” he said. “I wouldn’t be ready to handle all this if it wasn’t for COVID.”
Though he still has two years of school left, Zephaniah Black has already proven himself to be a standout student, athlete, and community member. His unique blend of school spirit, determination, and kindness make him one of the most universally liked students on campus, and he continues to inspire those around him each day.