What could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has presented itself for 11-year-old Milo Franklin.
The Iola youth is raising funds to travel to Europe with the Sporting Kaw Valley Elite team next spring.
Franklin has been mowing lawns, running a lemonade stand and conducting a raffle for a Travis Kelce signed jersey. He’s met about 40% of his goal.
Franklin, the son of Aaron and Allegra Franklin, has been playing with the Kansas City-based team for five years.
“It’s much more physical, the kids are faster and have more endurance,” Franklin said of the league. “They have higher skill levels. When I started with this team I wanted to do everything myself but I’ve learned to pass the ball and play in my spot and do what I’m supposed to do.”
Franklin first began playing soccer at age 4.
“My speed helps me get by a lot of people and my strength helps too,” Franklin said. “There’s a challenge in playing people you’ve never seen before and you don’t know what their strengths and weaknesses are. It’s about adjusting.”
“My shooting and physicality have probably improved the most,” Franklin said of his involvement with the team.
Aaron Franklin commended his son.
“He’s got pretty high aspirations. He tells me he wants to play college soccer,” Aaron Franklin said. “That’s what I feel this fundraiser is more about, learning that when you have goals in life you have to work toward them.”
Locals may want to look out for his lemonade stand at Iola’s Farm City Days or at Humboldt’s Water Wars coming up later this summer. 
“The lemonade stand was pretty good during LaHarpe Days,” said Franklin. “I’ve sold a few tickets for the Kelce jersey.”
The team will travel to Europe next March where they will match up against international teams.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’d like to see some monuments there,” Franklin said.
