It was the final seconds of a tied summertime exhibition basketball game last year for the Knights of Sacred Heart School in Morrilton against their rival, the Daredevils of Wonderview High School in Hattieville, and Luke Paladino had the ball.
The 18-year-old senior did what he always does — he made an unforgettable impact.
“They passed me the ball, and I went to the hoop and put it in. It was pretty awesome. It means a lot. It was great. We can always hold it over their heads that we beat them at least once,” he said. “Even if it wasn’t in-season, it still counted to us.”
Whether scoring the game-winning point, cleaning up after school dances or staying late to help his teachers, Paladino is a leader who always gives back to the school he’s attended since kindergarten.
“I’ve always been taught to give back; to give of yourself to others. I really believe in that. I find myself doing that. I give back to others,” he said. “… Jesus died for our sins, the least we can do is give a little to others and show what he did for us.”
Paladino, the second oldest of four children to Justin and Nichole Paladino, earned a 3.87 GPA. He was involved in several sports and activities at Sacred Heart, including golf, basketball, baseball, the trap team, Beta Club and Key Club. In basketball and baseball, he earned all-conference this year, and in basketball, he was selected ninth in all-state. Paladino is active in CYM and altar serving for the parish.
“Key Club is definitely my favorite. We work with disabled, special kids in Morrilton through Action Services. We put on two events every year: a fishing derby and a spring festival. We dance with them, and all sorts of fun stuff and get to know them,” Paladino said. “There’s a guy, one of our clients, named Kyle. I’ve fished with him, I love Kyle. He’s just like me, he’s very social.”
Paladino said his graduating class is a close bunch with just 12 students.
“My class is what’s good about a little school. We all get along really good, and there’s not really outcasts. We have our good days and bad. We’re always popping jokes; even outside of school we hang out,” he said. “I’ll definitely miss the kids and how close everyone is here. I’m a senior and I could be buddies with a seventh or eighth grader. We’re all around each other constantly.”
Paladino will enter the nursing program at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. After a required year of working in an intensive care unit, he’ll apply to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
In reflecting on his time at Sacred Heart School, Paladino said honesty is the lesson he’ll carry into his future.
“Sacred Heart has taught me a lot. The teachers were great. One of my English teachers is basically my second mom,” he said. “It’s taught me all kinds of good qualities. Honesty is something I’ll always carry with me. I believe it can get you through life. It’s a really sheltered, cultured atmosphere. I guess the big world is coming for me.”
