All in Appreciation
Early Exposure and Opportunity: Growing up in an athletic family meant constant exposure to basketball, providing countless hours of practice and skill development from a young age.
Invaluable Mentorship: His parents, both "all-around athletes and great people," served as direct mentors and role models, guiding him not just in sports but in life. His father and grandfather’s Hall of Fame status set a clear, high standard for achievement.
My mom pulled up to a house at 114 Tyler Drive, and a man with deep waves and a warm smile was standing outside. This was Jeremiah Arnette. He met me with a kind hello, and when I told him my name was T.J., he said I looked familiar. My mom explained that my dad's name was Chaunta Godfrey. At that moment, Jeremiah's eyes lit up. He knelt down and told me that he and my father were childhood friends and shared many memories. He then looked at my mother and said, "Go on to work. I’ll be all he ever needs as a father figure from here." I knew right then and there that I was in good hands.
Coach Johnson was a man of intense passion. He didn’t just coach football or track; he lived it, and he expected the same from his players. There were no games, no shortcuts. His presence on the field was a constant reminder that mediocrity was not an option. He pushed hard during practices, on the track, and even through our most troubling days, and you couldn't help but respect him for it. His passion wasn't just for the sport; it was for the person. Coach Johnson joined the coaching staff with the late, great Coach Chris Deal after coming from Salisbury, bringing a new level of intensity and discipline to the team.
Ms. Graves’s vibrant personality and passion for teaching came from her deep-rooted family values. Coming from a musical family, she also enjoyed singing and playing the piano, and her joy was infectious. This musical spirit and love for people shone through in everything she did, making her not just a great gym teacher but a truly remarkable person. She was the proud parent of Will Graves, a retired professional basketball player who now runs the Will Graves Skills Academy, and her pride in him was always evident.
But the most enduring lesson Coach Atkinson preached was about being a saboteur—someone who repeats the same mistakes over and over. He pushed us to take accountability and never settle for average. This philosophy wasn't just for the football field; it was for life. It was a call to continuous improvement, a rejection of complacency.
When he took on the role of head coach at Lexington Middle School, his message was simple and direct: "execute, dominate, and always talk with your pads and not your mouth." His practices were not for the faint of heart. I can still vividly recall the drills that defined our first week of organized football: the Oklahoma, the belt-line drill, and the county fair drill. But my personal favorite was the "bull in the ring," a drill that was as much a life lesson as it was a football exercise. It taught us to keep our heads on a swivel at all times, a metaphor for the constant awareness and readiness required in life.
Despite her immense strength, Patricia is also a woman who carries her own burdens with a quiet dignity. Latia reveals that her grandmother would never show when she is having a bad day, choosing instead to maintain her composure and remain the steadfast rock of the family. This resilience is a source of both pride and comfort for her loved ones, who know they can always lean on her, no matter the circumstances. Latia holds onto a deep hope that she will one day make her grandmother proud, a goal that is a testament to the powerful legacy of love and integrity Patricia is building.
Coach Deal’s vision was about more than just winning games; it was about molding us into men of character. He invested in us not just as football players, but as student-athletes. He would find ways to secure funding for each player to attend different football camps, ensuring we were always competing on a high level, both on the field and in the classroom. His daily message was a simple, yet powerful, one: "Face adversity and have faith." He preached this gospel daily, making it the bedrock of our mentality.
Mr. Holt’s mentorship was all about building character. He constantly instilled in us the importance of doing the right thing, even when no one was watching. I can still hear him telling me, "Thomas, you don't always have to get the last word; sometimes just be a good listener." This was a foundational lesson in humility and respect. He went the extra mile to prepare us for the world. He hired someone to teach us proper restaurant etiquette, a skill many of us had never been exposed to. We learned how to set a dinner table, distinguishing a soup spoon from a salad fork, and understanding that these small details mattered.
It's a reminder that we must give the youth an opportunity to explore their passions. A small chance can lead to a life-changing path and save them from a negative influence. With all the gratitude in the world, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Corey McMillian. Your kindness and belief in a young man you didn't even know truly made a positive impact on my life. You are forever appreciated.
What truly defines Meredith's leadership in Christ is her profound humility. Josh explains that when others try to recommend her for recognition, she often humbly declines, stating that she is simply "doing what God wants her to do" and believing that "someone else deserves that recognition." This selfless attitude, Josh says, has always been his mom’s core mission: doing God’s will.
