From Africa to America: Life of an artsy athlete

​By Kenzie Raub '24

Denzel Marufu 23’ is an artist and a soccer player and an international student from Zimbabwe.
“It’s [American school] not more difficult than Zimbabwe,” Marufu said. “Zimbabwe is much more difficult than here—but it’s not just easy as I thought it would be.” 
Marufu explains that in Zimbabwe, students have an extra year of school than in America. They also don’t use the same grade system as we do. Instead, Zimbabwean schools have “forms” of schooling levels. For example, grades eight through 18 are known as form one to six.
While in America at NCS, Marufu has been able to expand on his passion for art. His interest in drawing began somewhere around fifth grade, and he’s continued to draw and create art ever since. He has drawn several works that have been posted online and are hung in different places around the school.
“I’ve never even taken any art classes, so it’s just a thing,” Marufu said.
Along with building his artistic ability, Marufu has also been able to be a part of the NCS soccer team, continuing to grow his love for the sport. He began playing soccer in sixth grade, upholding the goalie position for his entire soccer career to this day. He was also able to be a part of the state championship  recently played.
“It was good, you know,” he said. “Like, my first year here, winning the championship. It was something else.”
Marufu was named first-team all-state.
“Denzel was a wall in the goal,” Coach James Brown said, “and always there when called upon to make the big save.”
Marufu plans on continuing to play soccer and eventually make a career out of it. He isn’t sure about becoming an artist, but he still appreciates it as a hobby. He says his talent is creating art, but he enjoys playing soccer more, preferring to make a living out of it rather than drawing.
Marufu has one piece of advice to up and coming artists; references are very important.
“I just take a picture, I put it there, I just copy what’s on the picture,” said Marufu.