If you think athletes only wear cleats and jerseys, think again. This issue's featured Young Achiever is proof that champions also wear headsets and rack up wins with lightning-fast clicks and strategy calls from behind a keyboard.
Meet Noah Rieffel, a 14-year-old homeschooler who goes by "Trxy" in the world of competitive Fortnite. He's not just a casual player—he's the IGL (In-Game Leader) of his team EXO, based out of Franklin, Tennessee, and competes in XP League, a youth esports league that develops players in skill, sportsmanship, and leadership.
For the uninitiated, Fortnite is a fast-paced, competitive video game that blends strategy, survival, and building mechanics. Players battle it out to be the last one standing—either solo or in teams. But for Noah, it's more than a game—it's become a path to personal growth, discipline, and national-level recognition.
And let's be real—gaming has come a long way since the days of Pong, Super Mario Bros., and Donkey Kong. Today, both kids and adults are making six- and even seven-figure incomes by winning major competitions and landing sponsorships. So parents… it might not be the worst thing if your kid is glued to their game after all.
Noah has been competing for five years, practicing 4–5 days a week, and traveling across the country to events like DreamHack, VidCon, and the Fortnite Championship Series. He's taken first place at the XP League North American Finals, with his family and friends cheering him on in person—a moment he calls "unforgettable."
Along the way, he's met some of the biggest names in Fortnite: Clix and Khanada, pro players known for their elite mechanical skills; Bugha, the 2019 Fortnite World Cup Champion; and Cooper, OliverOG, and Batman Bugha, rising stars in the competitive scene.
Beyond the trophies, Noah says esports has taught him leadership, teamwork, communication, and integrity—skills that'll serve him long after the final circle closes. His future plans include studying computer science or engineering at Georgia Tech or Middle Tennessee State University.
His advice for kids looking to get started? "There's a ton of opportunity. If you enjoy it, join a team or club early so you can start practicing. It's a grind—and playing at a top level takes a lot of commitment and patience."
From building forts in-game to building a future grounded in passion and purpose, Noah "Trxy" Rieffel is leveling up in all the right ways—and putting Senoia on the map in the process.