PERRYVILLE -- Michael Ochs Jr. spent four years as a Perryville high school student trying to persuade the school board to approve a boys soccer program.

His unsuccessful effort included raising $10,000 during his freshman year, which was the starter-fee money the school needed to launch the team.

But Ochs never stopped his mission after graduating in the spring of 2007. He continued to attend as many board meetings as possible, and at last he received his wish in December 2007 when the board approved a boys soccer program.

Ochs will be a volunteer assistant coach this fall while also working and attending classes at Mineral Area Community College.

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