Luke Ratcliff

Called to Excel

The servant leader who invests in the success of others.

“You don’t have to be the biggest and best to make a difference. You simply have to be consistent and play to your strengths.” These words of wisdom from Luke Ratcliff have guided him to many successes in his football career including being named offensive lineman of the week by his coaches multiple times and being selected for First Team All-District Offensive Line his junior year. While Luke may not be the size of some of the other players on the field, he brings intelligence and puts in the effort to be an MVP in every game. More importantly, he encourages other players, and particularly those on the JV squad, to find their own unique strengths and develop into the invaluable contributors they are destined to be.

This ability to mentor and guide others has been a gift of Luke’s since he was very young, and it spills into his other sports, his volunteer activities, and into the hallways and classrooms at his school. As a top academic, Luke takes courses in subjects such as robotics and rocketry. He worked with a team to custom build and code a VexIQ robot, which ultimately made it to the final 16 in a state competition. But he is never too busy to serve as a resource for his peers, and he often takes the initiative to seek out classmates and teammates who need some support. “While I am proud of my academic and athletic accomplishments, I am most proud of the fact that I take the interactions with people I meet to heart and grab hold of every opportunity to help them be successful.”

Living by his father’s example, Luke always puts his faith first. “I realize that there is a higher purpose to everything I do, both on and off the field,” he says. This belief is what fuels his confidence, allows him to take risks, and keeps him pushing for excellence in every endeavor. Whether it’s persisting through failures and health setbacks to ultimately make it to the state tennis tournament with his doubles partner, leading workshops on how to advocate for agriculture as part of his role with FFA, or bringing renewed spirit and enthusiasm to the children’s ministry at his church, Luke is constantly aware that the work he is doing is not just about him, but about the others who depend on him. “The groups I choose to be a part of deserve my absolute best,” he says. “To me, there is no greater investment than to invest in the lives of those following after me.”