Finding balance between two worlds

Posted by Bettina Hansen

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Senior offensive lineman Khalid Mohamed walks onto the bus at Cleveland High School before their homecoming game against Rainier Beach Thursday October 18, 2012.

For many American teenagers, high school is a game of balance. Khalid Mohamed maintains it in two very different worlds. He emigrated to the U.S. with his family from Kenya in 2004, and balances his identity as an American teenager with his cultural and religious identity as a Muslim.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Without a locker room, the players get ready by the fence, and Khalid Mohamed, center, talks to Leonard Tren before practice Tuesday October 16, 2012.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Khalid Mohamed runs tackles with his best friend Mukhtar Isak during football practice at Cleveland High Tuesday October 16, 2012. Isak is Somali, was born in Qatar, and also identifies as a Muslim.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

"You won't know if you don't try," says Khalid Mohamed in encouragement of his friend DeMario Sarden, left, during football practice at Cleveland High School Tuesday October 16, 2012.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Khalid Mohamed, center, listens to head coach Ronn Jackson in a football meeting at Cleveland High. Mohamed and his family emigrated from Kenya in 2004, and he recently gained U.S. citizenship.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Khalid Mohamed walks into the field house to change after football practice at Cleveland High School Tuesday October 16, 2012.

Visit Jayson Jenks' story to read more about the thin line Khalid walks between both lives.

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Finding balance between two worlds