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Carter Straight
Meet Carter Straight, Tangier Shrine’s Courageous Kid of the Quarter and the 2025 Nebraska Shrine Bowl Co-Captain.
As the Co-Captain, Carter carries a special set of responsibilities that go beyond just football, serving as a leader, ambassador, and representative of the Shrine Bowl's mission.
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Here is his story.
Carter’s Journey: Strength, Support, and the Shriner Family
Thirteen-year-old Carter has always faced life head-on—with courage, determination, and a smile that inspires everyone. An 8th grader from Ashland, NE with a big heart, Carter loves scary movies, video games, swimming, fishing, and shooting his bow and arrow. But what makes his story truly special is how he’s tackled life’s challenges with the unwavering support of his family—and the Omaha Shriners.
Carter’s journey hasn’t been easy. At birth, his esophagus wasn’t fused, requiring surgery just two days later. While recovering, doctors found a cyst on his spine. It affected his ability to walk and began a lifelong path of medical treatments and physical challenges. Today, Carter walks with hand crutches and wears leg braces.
Despite lacking a technical diagnosis, Carter’s strength is undeniable. Through every surgery and setback, the Omaha Shriners have stood beside him—covering travel, accommodations, and ensuring his care at Shriners Children’s in the Twin Cities. Their help has been life-changing, supporting his path to independence.
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One shining moment came when the Shriners gifted him a bike. He never believed he could ride, but with his usual grit and drive, he taught himself how. Moments like these show who Carter is—someone who refuses to let anything hold him back.
“Carter wouldn’t have the life he does without the Shriners. They’ve been so loving and supportive—we truly love being part of their community.”
“He doesn’t want anyone’s help,” says his mom, Heather. “It breaks my heart to see him struggle, but I wouldn’t change him. I love the way he lives life.”​
His older sister Erika and soon-to-be brother-in-law Travis are always cheering him on, and his classmates celebrate him just as he is. His mother, whose own sister had a disability, understands the value of a strong support network.
There’s a special connection too—Heather’s dad, Carter’s grandfather, was a Shriner. It’s as if Carter’s journey came full circle, rooted in a legacy of compassion and care.
At the heart of it all, Carter’s story is about resilience, family, and the power of people who believe in you. And thanks to the Shriners, his future is as big as his heart.