If anyone were to ask Warrenton senior Autumn Heard – in a word – what she’s all about, her answer would be simple.

Community is the singular word she hopes will describe what’s most important to her on the soccer pitch, in school, and in life.

Heard, who signed her National Letter of Intent (NLI) on December 16 to continue her soccer career at East Central College, said the most important aspect of moving on after graduation lies in what she found with the Falcons’ program.

“East Central has a really good community,” Heard said. “I felt really welcomed when I visited. Their soccer program has a lot of potential, and I'm really excited about this journey. ECC is just a perfect opportunity for me, a perfect start.”

Warrenton coach Courtney Nenninger said that East Central is not only getting a fantastically skilled player but an even better person.

The coach said that, entering her fourth year with the soccer program, Heard has already made her mark.

“From her freshman year to now, she’s always been a leader,” Nenninger said. “Just the time she’s put in to become more skilled and better overall (has been important). She’s somebody we’ve relied on for the last few years. She’ll play anywhere for us. She’ll volunteer to do anything.”

The coach noted one exceptional circumstance last season in which Heard left her comfort zone to help the team.

“She puts everybody else, and even the team, before herself,” Nenninger said. “Last year, as an example, we needed a goalie for a couple of games; she was willing to hop up and do it. It’s the spot that most people won’t go into, but she didn’t hesitate. She was like ‘heck yeah, I’ll do it and if you need one for next season, I’ll do it then too.’”

While Heard hopes to give plenty to the soccer community at East Central, she also hopes to get something in return, she said.

She aims to use her time in the classroom to begin her quest, unsurprisingly, to help others.

“I plan to study criminal justice,” Heard said. “I want to become a detective. I want to help my community and to be able to figure cases out, anything that’s happened to the community. I want to be there to help people deal with bad things.”

And on the pitch?

“I hope to bring leadership and, mostly, friendships,” Heard said. “I want to grow as a soccer player. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve been playing since I was really young, like three years old – all my life.”

While East Central is clearly on the horizon for Heard, she still has unfinished business at Warrenton.

As a senior leader, she aims to do all she can to help lead the Warriors to a successful season.

“I would say my biggest strength would be my communication,” Heard said. “That, and being able to hold my ground.

“I’ve made so many good friendships in high school,” Heard said. “I’ve (worked at) being athletic but I’ve learned that staying strong is the most important thing when it comes to soccer. (Coach) Nenninger helped us with that; she helped us learn to stay on our feet and to keep moving.”

While she may be moving from one community to another after she graduates, Heard said her time at Warrenton High School will stay with her forever.

“The community here is very welcoming, everybody gets along and I feel like I just fit right in,” Heard said. “I would suggest this community to anybody.”