Being positive and spreading kindness are free. Making an impact on others is enough of a reward for Vaughn Rael-Kludt. The student-athlete wants to be remembered by his teammates, friends, family and strangers as the easygoing, faith-driven person anyone could lean on when they’re down.
Even as an underclassman, Rael-Kludt is a leader and central character for Marquette Catholic High School’s Boys Basketball team. Within his past two years on varsity, he has stepped in without being asked to, helped his teammates realize their potential and remained humble. This type of positive attitude on the young team helped lead them to new heights last season, but the team continues to evolve. Rael-Kludt has more to give and the desire to improve last year’s semi-state performance this season.
“I try to help out the team in every way I can,” Rael-Kludt said. “I'm up there with points one game, and then say another game I can't score, I'll try to help out in a different way with defense. You should always find a way to help out. I'm always trying to be there for my team.”
It’s important to Rael-Kludt to be a versatile player with his hand in different capacities on the court. He doesn’t step in to receive recognition. Rael-Kludt does it because he internalizes when his teammates need help, leadership and encouragement. One doesn’t need to be a senior or a captain to pursue change.
“You can't always think one thing is more important than the other,” Rael-Kludt said. “It shows them I spread positivity and kindness and I’m outgoing. If someone had a bad game, I should come up instead of them drowning all the rest of the game. You missed a couple shots, but you know your potential and you’re good.”
Rael-Kludt has been around sports his whole life, influenced by his father who coached for over a decade in Portage and his two older brothers who played various sports, but basketball didn’t come into play until third grade. Basketball was a fun pastime until a coach approached him about joining 94 Feet Elite to improve his skills. The interaction was nearly seven years ago, and Rael-Kludt hasn’t looked back since.
Beyond improving Marquette's Boys Basketball team’s run to State, Rael-Kludt’s goals for this academic year include maintaining good grades, staying positive and being kind. The person he is on the court is the same person his classmates and fellow Portage residents interact with. Rael-Kludt enjoys the sense of community in the city, which is something he exercises even though he goes to school in Michigan City. He chooses to fulfill Marquette’s annual service hours requirement by completing service throughout Portage, such as cleaning up trash at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Passionate people are the key to helping the city reach its full potential.
“A lot of people in Portage say the schools are becoming good, but I feel like it's more than that,” Rael-Kludt said. “Everybody comes together a lot.”
Family and faith played significant roles in Rael-Kludt becoming the person he is today. His mom supports and shows him his potential, while his two older brothers show him ways he can improve. Rael-Kludt credits his dad for instilling a drive in him that puts God first, school second and basketball third. Without the first two, Rael-Kludt can’t be a well-rounded player and person. He also reads the Bible every night, encouraging others to do the same because only positivity can come from doing so. If there are two things Rael-Kludt would leave to others, they’re a feeling of being seen and realizing positivity is within reach to us all.
“I’m outgoing and try to spread positivity wherever I go when people are down,” Rael-Kludt said. “You should always be happy. You should always look at the things you are grateful for in life. When people look at me and talk about me, I want people to say, ‘He’s a kind person, outgoing and never negative.'"