CLAYTON COUNTY
VOLUME II • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
SAGE Sustainable.Accountable.Global.Experienced.
Features:
Committed to Clayton County
Head Football Coach Al Hughes
Georgia Tech-Bound Star Running Back
Travis Custis
SAGE
Sustainable.Accountable.Global.Experienced.
A Publication from the Clayton County Board of Commissioners Tamara W. Patridge
Editor-in-Chief
Graphic Design Regina Yawn
Clayton County Printing Services
Photography David Makkers
Makkers Photography
Contributors
Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services Clayton County Senior Services Clayton County Film Office Kaleigh King, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce
Best of Clayton County
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eNOTE
appy New Year! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, our awesome readers, for your emails and phone calls of encouragement and praise for the premiere edition of SAGE. Dave from Jonesboro wrote: “Just read the first issue of “SAGE” and loved it! Thanks for creating this e-newsletter and setting a high standard for journalism and photography. I have already sent this out to over 30 people in my Clayton County circle.” Courtney wrote: “Congratulations on the launch of SAGE…the newsletter couldn’t come at a better time. Thanks for believing in Clayton County.” We know there are many remarkable people in Clayton County with positive stories to share. Much like author Alex Haley’s personal motto states, SAGE’s goal is “to find the good and praise it.”
Editor’s
Our new year brings changes within our government. Clayton County has a new leader in Chairman Jeff Turner. You’ll get a warm welcome from Chairman Turner as he shares with you his vision for and commitment to Clayton County. This time of year signals the end of football season and for many, a temporary state of depression besets until August. To help our faithful readers make the transition, our new issue will highlight some of the amazing football talent that has blossomed right out of Clayton County. Lovejoy High School Head Football Coach Al Hughes talks about what it means to have such a positive influence on the youth of Clayton County. Georgia Tech-bound running back Travis Custis talks about the humility that his coaches and mentors have instilled in him. To continue our tradition of celebrating the magnificent cultural diversity here in Clayton County, we celebrate Lunar New Year, which falls on February 10th this year. In our latest installment of Flavors of Clayton, you’ll meet Jennifer Wong of Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant in Forest Park who has been serving delicious Cantonese cuisine to Clayton County citizens for 25 years. The countless contributions of African Americans to the history of the United States are recognized in the month of February. We’ll share with you how Clayton County recognized the contributions of an ancestor of First Lady Michelle Obama in a big way. On behalf of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, I thank you for your support of Clayton County and wish you great success and good health in 2013.
Warmly,
Tamara W.Patridge Editor-in-Chief sagenews@claytoncountyga.gov
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Commissioners in Action
Introducing the 2013 Clayton County Board of Commissioners
Chairman | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
Vice Chairman Commissioner District 4
Commissioner District 1 4
Commissioner District 2
Commissioner District 3 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
Welcome from Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeffrey E. Turner To the readers of SAGE, it is my honor to endorse this publication of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. We have many positive stories to share about our government and our community. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us. To the citizens of Clayton County, I am humbled by the faith you have placed in me by electing me as your Chairman and I promise to treat each of you with dignity and respect. I vow to lead this county with integrity and honor, selflessly not selfishly, and I pledge to work for you and never against you. I will never abandon my demand for higher standards of accountability and transparency in our government. I will ensure that our government is Sustainable, Accountable, Global, and Experienced. As many of you are painfully aware, our promise of the American dream continues to be challenged. I recognize that spirits have been broken and the economy has not been easy on us. There is a long road ahead, but I will spend each day in office working toward ways to make life better for you and your families. Always remember that no matter what has happened in your life, everything has worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment that you can choose to make everything new. Working together on the parts will make the whole be a success. I am honored to serve you, and I thank you for your unwavering support.
Chairman Jeffrey E. Turner
Clayton County Chairman Jeffrey E. Turner graduated from Morrow High School in 1982 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of West Georgia and Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University. Chairman Turner and his wife Darlene have four sons. | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
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Inside Clayton
layton County Fire & Emergency Services commissioned a brand new, state-of-the-art mass decontamination trailer for hazardous materials spills and exposures.
The mass decon unit features two interior decontamination lines (one for males, one for females) and an exterior decon line for patients unable to walk due to injury (i.e. those placed on a backboard). The generator-powered unit has the ability to heat water to 80ºF and is climate-controlled.
The 42’ long, 2013 Freightliner, M2 Quadcab is capable of independently decontaminating 200 people who have been exposed to hazardous chemicals. When coupled with other fire department apparatus, the units are capable of handling up to 400 people.
Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services Fire Chief/EMA Director Jeff Hood said, “Adding this unique piece of equipment to our fleet allows CCFES special response teams to better care for residents in the event of an unfortunate hazardous materials exposure and ensures the safest, fastest means possible for reducing illness and containing exposures available to the citizens of Clayton County.” According to CCFES Captain Walter Barber, a Hazardous Materials Technician, “With this trailer we will have the opportunity to rapidly decon a mass amount of people. Simply put, they go in one side dirty and come out the other side clean!” Fully funded by UASI, the Urban Atlanta Security Initiative, the unit is self-contained, meaning that all the runoff from the decontamination process is retained for proper disposal and will not pollute the surrounding area. Follow CCFES on Twitter (www.twitter.com/CCFES) and “Like” them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ClaytonCountyFireEmergencyServices.
Clayton County Fire Department | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
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Forever Young...
Inside Clayton The Clayton County Senior Services Department serves the seniors of Clayton County by providing quality health and wellness programs at one of its five facilities around the county, as well as by assisting seniors in maintaining their independence in the community through in-home care services. The department established the Clayton County Centenarian Club which provides free lifetime membership to any Clayton County resident 100 years of age or older, and includes free breakfast, lunch, and admission to any dance and/or special event. Find out more in the current issue of the Clayton Forever Young, available at all Clayton County Senior Centers. The club recognizes two very important members: Ms. Maggie Brown Kidd, 108 years old, and Ms. Annie McDaniel, who was recently inducted in December of 2012. | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
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COVER Story By Tamara W. Patridge Photos by David Makkers
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alking with Tony Alberto is a bit like getting a history lesson from a college professor. Tony can tell you virtually anything about Filipino culture, its geography, its food, and its art. Tony is proud of his Filipino heritage and is equally proud to say that he, his wife Ces, and their six children have lived in Clayton County since 1996. Each of their children attended Clayton County Public Schools and, with the exception of a senior currently attending Forest Park High School, all are college graduates. What is unique about Tony is that he can turn just about anything into a work of art: canvas, wood, ice, a watermelon… yes, a watermelon. Tony creates amazing works of art in a small, five-by-five space at his wife’s Clayton County market and catering service, Mabuhay, located in Forest Park. Mabuhay translates as “Welcome” in Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines. Mabuhay is currently the only Filipino market south of I-20 and north of Macon, and caters to major conferences and events hosted by the Filipino community. Tony’s wife Ces has supported the Clayton County
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Office of Economic Development on several occasions by providing catering services that showcase Clayton County’s diversity to external business clients and visitors from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Tony possesses true, raw talent. There are no power tools involved in his craft. All of his masterpieces are created completely by hand. “I don’t use machines. Only a band saw in the beginning to block the wood and a manual saw.” Tony said. His workspace is filled with chisels of all sizes, and chards of wood cover the floor below.
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ony was born and raised in the Paete Laguna province of the central Philippines. In 2007, Laguna was named the “Woodcarving Capital of the World.” Tony graduated from college in the Philippines with a degree in commercial art design. Tony explained that Dr. Jose Rizal, a polymath and polyglot who spoke over 20 languages, learned the art of woodcarving and brought the art back to his Province of Laguna to teach to his people. Dr. Rizal, much like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the United States, is hailed as a national hero in the Philippines for his support of self-government by promoting peaceful measures. When Tony was in the 6th grade, he made toys out of a piece of a mahogany tree and sold them for 25 cents each. He had dreams of becoming an architect, but his father insisted that because they lived in a fine arts community, he would become an artist. “I just started
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crying,” said Tony. Tony says that his father insisted that he practice his wood carving to perfection. “I starting crying saying that I didn’t want to practice, I just wanted to play,” Tony said. “I practiced so much that I felt that the wood became my twin brother.”
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ony’s father was a painter of billboards for markets and movies in the Philippines. He painted the movie marquees that read, “Now Showing,” or “Coming Soon,” and painted portraits of the artists in the films. He once painted a portrait of John Wayne for the advertising of a Western flick. During the 1970’s and 80’s in the Philippines, family companies were common and were run out of the family home. Tony recalls that one day after school, he knew his father was expecting him to come directly home to practice, but Tony saw his friends playing and he wanted to play, too. Hours later, as he frolicked with his playmates, Tony’s father arrived, with a large stick in hand, and the fun was over. Tony said that he is grateful that his father pushed him to focus on his craft and instilled in him the importance of education, which Tony has passed along to his own children. “Most Filipinos know the importance of education and come to the United States as doctors, nurses, lawyers, or accountants,” said Tony. After graduating from college, Tony was hired by the Manila Hilton, the tallest building and largest hotel in the capital of the Philippines. From there, Hilton Hotels moved Tony to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, as its kitchen artist. At the end of his contract in Dubai, Tony was offered the prestigious opportunity to work for the U.S. Olympics. Tony moved to Atlanta to help the Hilton prepare for the 1996 Olympic Games. At the end of his contract with the Atlanta Hilton, management was so impressed with his talent, that they offered him a deal to stay on with the hotel chain, and included an offer to bring his entire family from the Philippines to the United States. Tony, a devoted family man, didn’t hesitate. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
COVER Story Continuation “I said, ‘YES’,” said a smiling Tony, and from there, the Alberto’s life in Clayton County began.
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fter 12 years as a revered kitchen artist with the Atlanta Hilton, the stock market crash of 2008 took its toll on the hospitality industry. After 25 years with the Hilton Hotels Group, Tony and the entire kitchen artist staff members were let go. Nearly 4 years after his former department was eliminated, Tony has not found replacement work; however, that doesn’t keep him from perfecting his craft every day. He has been commissioned for work carving fruit into sculptures for baby showers and corporate functions. One particular gig resulted in five images of five attorneys carved into five watermelons. And, while many of us have carved a pumpkin at Halloween, Tony takes this tradition to another level by twice being named the “Champion Pumpkin Carver at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Tony says it takes about 2 hours to carve a pumpkin of this caliber. Tony has a woodcarving display in Duluth, but plans are underway to find a home for his masterpieces in the place where they are created--Clayton County. Although many paintings, wood carvings, and pencil sketchings cover the walls of the market, Tony’s favorite work is a carving he calls “his childhood memory.” He said that the piece brings back good memories for him. Referring to his father’s strict nature Tony said, “I thought about adding my father beating my butt when he found me playing instead of practicing, but I said, ‘I want only good memories,’” he said laughingly. It took Tony 3 weeks from start-to-finish to complete this masterpiece. The figure displays people who appear small, with tight, curly hair. Tony explained that the native people of the Philippines, “Negritos,” inhabited parts of Southeast Asia and are descendants from sub-Saharan Africa. They were of small stature, with dark skin and dark, curly hair. Tony is proud of his ethnic background and heritage and as a tribute to his native Negrito people, carved this beautiful work of art out of basswood. Tony prefers softer woods
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such as basswood because it is much easier to carve in the details.
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ony selects his themes based simply on whatever is on his mind: Filipino food, landscapes, or people. His framed wood carvings depicting various types of Filipino food are only lightly stained with watercolor so that the grain of the wood still comes through. Tony applies a light coat of varnish to protect each piece. Tony experiments with many different mediums, but his favorite medium is wood because of its three-dimensional effect. He uses traditional mediums such as paint, to more unconventional mediums such as ice, chocolate, fruit, or vegetables. Tony says that ice is the most difficult because it melts quickly. He has to work fast, but can carve a huge block of ice in a walk-in freezer in about 45 minutes. Tony is currently experimenting with coffee as a medium. “I’m not even a coffee drinker. I was just moving a cup and spilled a bit on my canvas.” When Tony saw the splash of color on the page, his creative juices once again began to flow. Tony pondered that the only drawback to having the ability to use virtually any medium to bring an art form to life is that it is difficult for him to concentrate on one project. “Sometimes I feel cursed. I go left to right, back and forth, on what I am going to create,” he said.
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ecause of the values instilled in them by their own parents, Tony and his wife have stressed to their six children the importance of education. Tony and Ces worked hard to put their children through college and are proud of their five college graduates, with one more coming in Forest Park High School sophomore, Angelo Boyce, who was named after Tony’s favorite artist Michelangelo. Tony and Ces are proud that all of their children attended Clayton County Public Schools: eldest daughter, Cheryl Joyce, a Nursing graduate of Clayton State University; Alan Alberto Royce, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Southern Polytechnic University; Jamie 9
Loyce, following in her father’s footsteps as a Fine Arts Major at Georgia State; Aaron Troyce, a first-year Mechanical Engineering major at Clayton State
“Childhood Memory” Artist Tony Alberto University; and Tonices Glace, who is a magna cum laude student at the University of Georgia and will graduate in May as a Physical Therapist.
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ith the unmistakable look of a proud father, Tony proudly stated “my greatest masterpieces are my children.” Visit Tony and see his amazing works of art at Mabuhay Market, 4645 Jonesboro Road, Forest Park. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
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Lovejoy High School Head Football Coach Al Hughes, for putting Clayton County on the map as a true contender for the best of Georgia high school football. For more than 35 years, Coach Hughes has been dedicated to mentoring countless young men on the importance of striking a balance between academics and athletics. Dozens of miniature team helmets line his office, representing the 200-plus college teams that have claimed a Lovejoy protégé. Lovejoy High School also boasts five players who have moved on to the National Football League. When talking with Coach Hughes, it becomes immediately evident that his parents raised him to be respectful and courteous, qualities that he passes on to his players. He responds to questions politely with “yes, ma’am,” and receives compliments humbly, with the grace and poise of a true gentleman. Coach Hughes has given the citizens of Clayton County something of which to be proud. He has led the Lovejoy Wildcats to two, back-to-back state championship games. Let’s face it--having a championship football team displays a major accomplishment and garners national attention for a community—it’s one of the best marketing tools around. High school football teaches young men to be responsible, respectful, and self-disciplined. Not every game results in a win, but the lessons learned from the losses--especially the really hard ones--teach skills that can be applied many times throughout a young man’s life. When a team reaches the championship level, the nation pays attention.
igh school
football is serious business. If you’re from the South, you know it’s a Friday night ritual. People of all ages and walks of life have fond memories of crisp autumn nights, the sound of a marching band filling the air, and the aroma of popcorn wafting from the concession stand. An entire community’s image is often molded by the performance of its high school football team. High school football provides community pride, camaraderie, and a time to put aside differences to wear the same colors as you cheer your favorite team on to victory. Clayton County is thankful to native son,
Coach Hughes, a.k.a. “Clayton County’s All-Time Winningest Coach,” was born and raised in Clayton County. He began his coaching career in 1977 at Jonesboro High School, then moved to Lovejoy High School in 1994, first as Offensive Coordinator, then to his position as Head Coach in 2001. His mother was a teacher for 42 years. In fact, his entire family has made quite an admirable commitment to the youth of Clayton County. “My middle brother was in education here in Clayton County for 29 years until he retired as the Principal from Kendrick Middle School. He and I coached at Lovejoy together for probably 12 or 13 years and in that process, my baby brother was my Defensive Coordinator here at Lovejoy with us, too.” said Hughes. “It was nice to have all of us finally get together and spend some time together coaching. | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
Those were some of the most memorable times I’ve ever had.” Coach Hughes is proud of his Clayton County roots. He exclaims proudly the fact that his three daughters--Megan, Alison, and Kristen--all graduated from Clayton County Public Schools. His parents still live in the same house in which he was raised. “I would imagine we’ve got the same telephone number that we’ve had for a hundred years.” said Hughes. “This is home. I don’t know any other place. I speak at clinics around the state and around the nation and people always ask me ‘how do you do it?’ I haven’t been anywhere else to learn how everybody else does it. I was at Jonesboro for 17 years and I’ve been at Lovejoy for 19 years.” 10
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Just as he teaches his players, Coach Hughes By Tamara W. Patridge seems to have written the book on humility. He Photos by David Makkers attributes his success to just about everyone but himself. “There is no way that one person could do this job without, first of all, good players. One thing we say around here is ‘it’s not the X’s and O’s, it’s the Johnnys and Joes.’ We’ve got pretty good Johnnys and Joes.” said Hughes. Coach Hughes also credits his coaching staff for his professional success. “You’ve got to have a great coaching staff. I’ve been fortunate over the years to coach with my brothers, and those coaches that you work with over the years end up being your best friends. They’re like brothers…like family.” Hughes talked about two men who had a tremendous influence on his life. “I had a great mentor when I first got into coaching.” said Hughes. “He kind of laid the foundation for me. I went to Jonesboro Junior High School and one of the dearest, closest people that I ever knew was a guy named Jerry Moore—he was a coach. He was my coach. He still lives in Morrow, Georgia. He coached at Morrow High School since it opened, until he retired. He was a gigantic influence on my life. My other Junior High coach, Wilton Marchman still lives down in the Panhandle with his wife and family. I am who I am because of people like Wilton Marchman and Jerry Moore who gave to me, as a player. When I decided to become a coach, one of those feelings that you have is--I guess--that you’re ‘called.’ It’s not like you really chose the profession. Back in the day, I wanted to work with the Airlines like everybody else, go to Delta and have buddy passes and fly all over the place. I actually went to school thinking that is what I wanted to do. You know, I guess when you’re called to do something, you know there’s more to it than nine-to-five. I’ve never once asked how much did I get paid. I don’t even know how much I Coach Jones, Coach Chatman, Travis Custis, Alejandro Bennifield, Coach Hughes get paid, I just know I try to make the bills meet. It’s nice to enjoy what you do. I enjoy what I do.” Hughes expressed gratefully. Coach Hughes stresses the importance people of Clayton County and I just happen to be the fortunate guy that the Clayton County community plays in gets to sit in this chair.” Hughes said. his success as a coach. “It’s all about the Hughes talks about his lifetime of memories in Clayton County with a community. It’s the kids of those people that deep fondness. Like any long-time resident, Hughes has plenty of stories live in the community that you’re working to share. He recalls a time when he was the Head Coach at Jonesboro with as players. The thing about high school High School, while one of his brothers served as the defensive coach football is that you don’t get to go out and, at Riverdale. “My Mom and Dad had some hats made when they came like a college or pro team, recruit who it is to the game on Friday night. One side of the hat was decorated like that you want to be your quarterback. You’re Jonesboro and the other side of the hat was decorated like Riverdale. just blessed with an Alejandro Bennifield. So, One would sit on one side and one would sit on the other. They’d swap it has nothing to do with me. It’s all about the at halftime.”
Coach
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Al H
ughes
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Coach Al Hughe
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oach Hughes has remained faithful to the youth and parents of Clayton County and feels a deep sense of commitment to finishing the job he started in 1977. He attributes this loyalty to a strong sense of family instilled in him by his parents. “I felt like there were people who gave things to me. They gave of their time and efforts and energies.” The Atlanta Falcons recently honored Coach Hughes, along with Jonesboro High School Coach Tim Floyd, in their Hall of Fame, recognizing them for dedicating their lives to young football players in their community. Coach Hughes stresses the importance of good manners to all of his players. | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
He teaches players the importance of giving recruiters a firm handshake, the importance of looking into a recruiter’s eyes when speaking to them, and has even created a “to do” list that he calls, How to Meet A Recruiter. “I want these kids to represent themselves as being respectful and humble.” said Hughes. He said that players sometimes ask him why he treats them so differently, to which he replies, “Because you are different, so I expect more out of you than everybody else.” Among many fond memories, Coach Hughes has what he calls a “vivid” memory of a loss his team suffered while he was the Head Coach at Jonesboro High School against then Lovejoy Head Coach, C.W. Campbell. Recalling the event with great detail, Hughes said that during a final, fateful play of the game, he observed an illegal motion, an illegal shift, and an illegal cut block; however, as the official reached for his flag, he just as quickly put his hands back at his sides without throwing it. “I remember hitting on my knees, falling on my face, and then I jumped up and tried to kill that referee.” To make matters worse, the cameras had somehow failed to capture the game. A self-proclaimed “old school coach,” Hughes studied every film and used each as a learning tool, so having the tape was a necessity for him. Swallowing his pride, Hughes called Coach Campbell and, with his tail between his legs, asked him for a copy of his tape. A gloating Coach Campbell agreed, and invited Hughes into his home to celebrate the opposing team’s win. Coach Hughes mightily refused, asking Campbell to meet him at the end of the driveway with the tape. “Having to ask Coach Campbell for that tape was like adding insult to injury. I couldn’t even drink water for about a week.” said Hughes. To help ease the pain of the loss, Craig Chatman, then quarterback for the Wildcats, and now Defensive Coordinator for the team, wrote a few words of encouragement.
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After asking his mother to find the poem, Coach Chatman gave SAGE the exclusive honor of publishing his work of art for the first time ever:
What Makes a Wildcat?
By Lovejoy Offensive Coordinator and Former Quarterback, Craig Chatman The thing that makes a Wildcat is obvious enough; It isn’t any fascinating old magician’s stuff. It’s nothing more than putting out, whatever be the chore; The power that is in you ---- and just a little more! It isn’t any wizardry; it’s not a magic gift; Or, in the game you’re playing, it’s using all you have in store Of guts, and nerve, and energy ---- and just a little more! The thing that makes a Wildcat is simple, plain, and clear; It’s never being “almost”, “just about”, or “pretty near”, It’s summoning the utmost from your spirit’s inner core And giving every bit of it ---- and just a little more! That little more, how much is it ---- as deep and wide and far As the enormous emptiness, from molehill to a star; The gulf between the should-have-bins and the eagles as they soar The Wildcats, they give their best ---- and just a little more! It takes a little more To be a WILDCAT Coach Hughes says that coaching at Lovejoy High School is a “dream job” for him. “I’ve been very fortunate to have been selected the one that gets to do this and I don’t take that lightly. I try to do what I feel like the good Lord wants me to do…every day.”
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Alejandro Bennifield | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
Travis Custis 14
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ovejoy
senior running back Travis Custis has earned a larger-than-life reputation in the world of high school football. He rushed for 2118 yards, scored 35 touchdowns, and averaged 7.9 carries, fumbling a mere 3 of 270 carries. Although Custis said that the University of Alabama, who just earlier this month celebrated its third BCS National Championship in four years, has been courting him, he remains committed to Georgia Tech. Custis said that Lovejoy High School Head Football Coach Al
Hughes has taught him valuable lessons he will take with him as he moves on to college football. “Coach taught me to always be humble, to keep my chest up and to always look into a reporter’s face when I talk about the team.” said Custis. He says that he wants the youth in Clayton County to stay focused on achieving their goals. “I tell the young children, just stay humble. Never give up. Follow your dreams, put in the work, and wait for that chance to come. I had to wait, but then I took my chance. You have to be prepared when your chance comes.” said Custis. Custis is finding that all of the media attention he received this season has garnered quite a following for him. “It seems like everybody recognizes me now. They say things like ‘are you number 22?’ ‘Are you the running back?’ and ‘I love watching you every Friday.’ It makes me feel great. Like with children, I’ve already had to sign autographs, so that made me feel really good. The parents give me high fives and encourage me to go on to the next level. The parents tell me to stay humble and things are going to turn out great.” Custis said that with the lessons he has learned while under the tutelage of Lovejoy Head Coach Al Hughes, he feels ready to take his skills to the next level. “I’m going to miss Coach Hughes, but I’m so ready to go to that next level, to win the National Championship for Georgia Tech.”
When asked about his favorite NFL team, Custis said without a moment’s hesitation:
“The New England Patriots. It would be a dream to play for them.”
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lso receiving major attention for his performance this past year was senior Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, who has committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Bennifield, whose record as a starting quarterback is 27-3, has lost only one regular season game as a starter. He said that he takes his position as a role model very seriously. “Coach has taught me that I need to be physically and mentally prepared, both in the weight room and while studying and understanding the plays and playbook.” said Bennifield. “You’ve got to be prepared before you step onto the field. If you’re not prepared, you’re not going to be successful.”
He transferred to Lovejoy High School in his sophomore year. Bennifield said that he has a message for the young men following in his footsteps: “You have to stay focused. You can’t let success get to your head. As soon as you start getting good, you can’t stop or top off early. You have to keep working to get better. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse, pretty much. You always have to be better. You have to be a student first.”
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oach Al Hughes added that Bennifield’s mom, just like Hughes’ own mother, is a teacher. “If we didn’t stress academics first, my Mama wouldn’t give me a Christmas present.” said a fearful Coach Hughes as if his mother was standing right beside him.
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By Tamara W. Patridge Photos by David Makkers
ennifield was born in Germany and moved to Jonesboro when he was 2 years old.
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layton County has been home to many amazingly talented high school football players who have moved on to careers in the National Football League. The Georgia High School Football Historians Association publishes a list of former Georgia high school players who have appeared in at least one regular season game in the NFL. Check out this list of players who were trained by many fine coaches in the Clayton County Public School System.
Name School Team
Brooks, C.J. Morrow Burnett, Morgan North Clayton Choice, Tashard Lovejoy Glenn, Cordy Riverdale Douglas, Harry Jonesboro Grant, Ernest Forest Park Hastings, Andre Morrow Leggett, Maurice Mount Zion/Jonesboro Love, Kyle North Clayton McDaniel, Emmanuel Joneboro Philyaw, Mareno North Clayton Rackley, Will Riverdale Scott, Chris Lovejoy Sidney, Dainon Riverdale Ward, Hines Forest Park Woerner, Scott Jonesboro
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Miami Dolphins Green Bay Packers Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins Buffalo Bills Atlanta Falcons Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Kansas City Chiefs New England Patriots Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Jacksonville Jaguars Pittsburgh Steelers Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills Pittsburgh Steelers Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints
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SAGE Asks… How can high school football help promote a positive image for Clayton County?
Alejandro Bennifield - Quarterback, Lovejoy High School “It helps promote a positive place where young kids can come watch us play, see how good we’re doing and see how we affect the community. It makes kids want to work harder to get their academics together so that they can be on a winning team like ours and go on to do great things for their community.”
Coach Craig Chatman - Offensive Coordinator, Lovejoy High School “High school football can definitely help the reputation of the county. I went to school in Clayton County and now I coach here. Anything we can do to step out into the community and help—football-wise or atheletic-wise, is going to be positive.”
Coach Kevin “Bull” Jones - Defensive Coordinator, Lovejoy High School “It shows the resiliency of the kids and the community. Our community leaders, civic leaders, and our county government show a lot of support for the kids that play sports in Clayton County. This attitude starts with our adults and it goes down to the kids--they feed off of it. They want to showcase their talent.” “It’s all about the people of Clayton County and I just happen to be the fortunate guy that gets to sit in this chair.” - Al Hughes, Head Football Coach, Lovejoy High School | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
Scene Around Town
The Clayton County Film Office was recently recognized for its “Outstanding Contribution to the Georgia Film Industry,” by the Georgia Entertainment Gala, held at the Georgia World Congress Center on January 13, 2013. Clayton County Chairman Jeffrey Turner attended the black-tie event in support of the film industry in Georgia. Accepting the award on behalf of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners were Film Office Director Grant Wainscott, and Location Scout/Marketing & Communications Manager Tamara Patridge. The Film Office continues to develop influential contacts in the film industry, positioning Clayton County for additional projects for 2013. Four major movies with scenes filmed in Clayton County hit the big screen in 2012: Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah; What to Expect When You’re Expecting, with Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison (Glee), and Jennifer Lopez; The Odd Life of Timothy Green, with actors Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton; and Paramount Pictures, Flight, starring Denzel Washington. The film office managed the filming of several scenes for the sequel to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, scheduled for release in November this year. The Lionsgate movie based on the best-selling young-adult novel raked in an estimated $155 million in its opening weekend, according to the studio, giving it the third-best debut in North American box office history. With more than 35 productions signed on to film in Georgia in 2013, the Clayton County Film Office will be busier than ever.
Flavors of Clayton
Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant 4353 Jonesboro Road, Forest Park, Georgia
Chinese New Year is the most important celebration of traditional Chinese holidays. This year, Chinese New Year begins on February 10th and lasts for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. Because Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, it is often referred to as “Lunar New Year,” and its start date fluctuates based on the amount of time the moon takes to move around the earth. To contrast, the Western hemisphere bases time on the solar calendar, or how long it takes for the earth to rotate around the sun. Clayton County is lucky to have Jennifer Wong of Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant as both a resident and a business owner. Jennifer, her husband Paul, and their four children have lived in and owned a business in Clayton County since 1988. All of Jennifer and Paul’s four children attended schools in Clayton County, and their son was recognized for achieving a perfect score on the SATs from Mt. Zion Christian Academy. Golden Gate specializes in Cantonese cuisine and will celebrate their 25th anniversary in business this year. Jennifer and her attentive staff serve anything from Chinese sausage fried rice, spicy salt and pepper scallops, and sesame chicken, to more authentic Cantonese cuisine such as fresh lobster with ginger garlic sauce, crispy roast duck, seafood over thin, crispy egg noodles, or any variety of “chow fun”--wide, rice noodles that are gluten-free. Customers can expect to become “regulars” quite quickly as typically after one visit, the staff remembers the names of those who dine with them. For Chinese New Year, you can boost your chances for good luck by visiting Golden Gate for an order of springrolls, which bear a resemblance to gold bars and symbolize treasure; and dumplings, which resemble silver coins and as legend states, the more you eat, the more money you will make in the new year. However, Jennifer Wong says that anything you choose to eat at Golden Gate will bring you prosperity. | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
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February African American History Month Each year in February, in observance of African American History Month, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners pays homage to the contributions of the First African American Families of Clayton County. We honor them for their commitment to their community and for remaining in Clayton County to serve, work, lead, teach, and help create the promise of a better future.
Anderson Arnold Brocks Broughton Brown Clemons Dixon Freeman Freeman (Melvin) Gipson Hardy Howard
Jones McDaniel Meadows Norrington Norwood Ringer Simpson Slaughter Sloans Smith Souder Starr Turnipseed Williams
We encourage all citizens, regardless of race, color, or national origin, to offer gratitude to these families who, through their fortitude, valor, and triumphant spirit, have enriched our community in ways that will benefit generations to come.
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Did you know?
First Lady Michelle Obama has roots in Clayton County.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners honored the life and legacy of First Lady Michelle Obama’s great-great-great grandmother Melvinia Shields with the dedication of a memorial monument that prestigiously stands in Historic Rex Village. Nearly 600 people attended the ceremony as family members of both the slaves and slave owners met for the first time. New York Times Correspondent Rachel L. Swarns, Author of American Tapestry, attended the celebration and spoke at the historic event. Melvinia Shields came to Rex as a slave from South Carolina when she was just 8 years old. Upon her owner’s death, Melvinia was “given” to his daughter and son-in-law, Christian P. and Henry W. Shields. Melvinia would spend the next 30 years in what is now considered Rex, Clayton County, Georgia. Melvinia is buried in Kingston, Georgia. Visit the site in Historic Rex Village, near the Historic Rex Mill, 5227 Mill Walk, Rex, Clayton County, Georgia. | SAGE | www.claytoncountyga.gov
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