B-Ball Enthusiast is All Swish

Ask rising ninth grader Silas Becknell ’27 what he’s into, and the answer is pretty much guaranteed to be “basketball.”

The charismatic student plays every chance he gets, whether it’s on a Prep team, during Activity, free periods, or at home.

“I am really passionate about it,” he says. “I’ve been at it since I was 5.”

His goals are to play basketball at a Division 1 college and then make it to the NBA, “as long as I keep putting in the work.”

Meanwhile, Silas has immersed himself in the Prep community, which he joined in sixth grade. One of his favorite classes was Eighth-Grade Experiential Outdoor Leadership. The class is designed to develop leadership and teamwork using outdoor skills.

Students take part in a weekend outdoor trip of their choice (climbing, hiking, kayaking, or caving) that’s organized by their class, and only members of the class participate. They also help organize and run the sixth-grade Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP) trip in May.

Another favorite class is English. “One teacher that has benefited me is Mrs. [Lori] Hunt, my English teacher,” he explains. “She has had an impact on me since seventh grade. She is nice and caring and teaches me a lot of valuable things.”

The admiration is mutual. “Few can put a smile in your heart like Silas,” Hunt says. “His exuberance and zest for life is inspiring.”

Hunt has had Silas in her classes twice. “He has an irrepressibly joyful spirit, and I feel lucky to know him.”

Silas also has made an impression on Susi Hochrein, Assistant Head of School for Middle School. Just from subbing for the Experiential Outdoor Leadership class, Hochrein says she’s gotten to know and appreciate his personality. “Silas is quite the storyteller in advisory and is quite hilarious,” she says. “Even though he’s a jokester, Silas has a soft approach when it comes to making everyone feel seen, heard, and included.”

He may have plans to be a basketball player, but as far as Hochrein is concerned, “I’m convinced that one day he will be a motivational speaker!”

In fact, Silas may have that in his blood: His dad, Dr. Charles Becknell Jr., is a senior lecturer in the Africana Studies Program at the University of New Mexico, an educational consultant, and a youth and family professional coach. His grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell Sr., founded that program, served on the cabinet of two New Mexico governors, and is an activist, pastor, and author.

Spending time with his family -- which includes his mom and younger sister -- is one of Silas’s joys in life. “My family is kind, caring, funny, and they are always there for me,” he says.

Silas came to Prep from Tomasita Elementary School and loved it from the minute he set foot on campus. “I really enjoy the atmosphere and people,” he says. Lion and Unicorn Day ranks among his favorite memories so far. “It was honestly so cool.” 

As he prepares to enter upper school, Silas says that managing his workload and homework can sometimes be challenging, but he works hard to stay on top of it all.

When it comes to this basketball fanatic, his time at Prep so far has been a slam dunk.