McCullough Triplets Find Their Sport Ethan, Cole, and Hunter | Hahira Middle School
Lifetime Wrestler Turns to Golf After Health Scare
Trent Broome | Valdosta High School
Golfer Followed Brother’s Lead Sanders Hinds | Brookstone School
Sullivan Shoulders Birth Defect Through
DANCE
IN THE
GAME
APR/MAY 2019
Caroline Sullivan Tiftarea Academy
ITG Next | 1
Honoring South Georgia Athletes No Matter the Sport
4 North Carter Street Lakeland, Georgia 31635 (229) 482-3585
978 Valdosta Highway Homerville, Georgia 31634 (912) 487-1200
202 W. Washington Ave. Nashville, Georgia 31639 (229) 686-9451
1201 S. Patterson Street Valdosta, Georgia 31603 (229) 244-3585
3303 Inner Perimeter Road Valdosta, Georgia 31605 (229) 244-3585 8 | itgnext.com
www.fmb.net Member FDIC
IN THIS ISSUE 18 21 22 24 29 30
Dual Enrollment Inspired by Helping Others Valencia Hill | Albany Technical College
Dual Enrollment Better Shapes Students for College Anzlie Brogdon | Wiregrass Technical College Leadership at Its Finest Blaize Minick | Ogeechee Technical College
McCullough Triplets Find Their Sport Ethan, Cole, & Hunter McCullough | Hahira Middle School Racing in the Genes Colby Higgins | Highland Christian Academy
38
Lifetime Wrestler Turns to Golf After Health Scare Trent Broome | Valdosta High School
41 44
Fighting to Stay Together Spells Family
47 48 52 54 56 58 60 64 66 66
Track Athlete Looking for Back-to-Back State Wins Jonathan Myrthil | Northside High School
34
A Star Is Born Haley Williams | Glynn Academy
Golfer Followed Brother’s Lead Sanders Hinds | Brookstone School Esports Ganks Sports World Colquitt County High School
Riding to Compete Southern Junior Rodeo Association
Sullivan Shoulders Birth Defect Through Dance Caroline Sullivan Tiftarea Academy
Inclusion Fosters Love of Sports Will Gillis | Brantley County High School All About the Sports Ball
Veterans Looking to Return to Winning Ways David Coffey | Veterans High School High School Referees Wanted
Sports Give Athlete Tools for Life Malachi Morris | Spencer High School
Coaching Changes Around the Corner FCA Events Spreading the Message FCA
Player Profiles
27 32 51 63
Smith Shaw | Valwood School Krystian Jones | Pelham High School Macee Chappuis | Valdosta High School Zanidja Aikens | Brooks County High School
ITG Next | 9
Leadership at Its
FINEST Written by: Dominic Ligon Photography by: Eric Vinson
“I would definitely consider my leadership skills to be my strong suit.” — Blaize Minick
To have the opportunity to finish college courses while still in high school is an exceptional way to get ahead of the game. Blaize Minick, an 18-year-old high school senior at Southeast Bulloch High School, recognizes the benefits of Dual Enrollment all too well. Born and raised in Brooklet, Georgia, Minick is a two-way athlete who plays football and baseball. While participating in high school athletics and academics, Minick has created a healthy balance by also enrolling in Ogeechee Technical College’s (OTC) Dual Enrollment program. Sports have been a huge part of Minick’s life since the young age of 4. Although he plays both football and baseball, Minick said baseball is his favorite sport. However, there are some similarities between his positions at quarterback and pitcher. “I would definitely consider my leadership skills to be my strong suit,” he said. It makes sense, with both positions being the
center of control for each sport. Minick taking early college classes through Ogeechee Technical College’s Dual Enrollment program demonstrates his ability to take control of his academic future too. OTC’s Dual Enrollment program offers the opportunity to attain early college credits while still in high school. As long as certain scores are made in either the SAT, ACT, PSAT, COMPASS, or ASSET standardized tests, getting accepted into the program is simple. Once desired scores are met, students enroll in college courses and receive textbooks at no cost to the student. Minick is now taking English 1101 and Math 1111 in OTC’s Dual Enrollment program; these core credits can be applied to both his high school graduation requirements and to almost any college he decides to attend in the future. “The program allowed me to boost my high school GPA back to a 3.0, and the later Dual Enrollment classes allow me to even sleep in
"I seriously recommend OTC's program to any high school student.” — Blaize Minick a tad bit longer in the mornings," he said. "I seriously recommend OTC's program to any high school student.” Minick also takes two regular high school courses to finish off his last semester in high school. Minick’s skills on the baseball field have provided the Yellow Jacket with several college scholarship offers. He plans on majoring in electrical engineering and credited his father, who works as an engineer, as his inspiration. Minick doesn’t want to waste any time where academics are involved and prides himself on taking the initiative of getting a head start on his college career. It seems as if Minick is on the road to success.
@ OGEECHEE TECH
Getting started on your college education has never been easier! 1. PRE-PLANNING
Meet with your high school counselor to discuss whether Dual Enrollment is an option for you.
2. ADMISSION
Contact OTC’s High School Coordinator for Admissions Requirements.
High School Coordinator dualenrollment@ogeecheetech.edu 22 | itgnext.com
3. ADVISEMENT
Upon admission, you will meet with your counselor and OTC’s High School Coordinator to discuss course options.
The Best Just Got Better.
THE 2019 RAV4 IS HERE. The #1 selling SUV in the U.S. in 2018 just got its 2019 upgrade. The all-new 2019 RAV4 is available now at the region’s #1 dealership.
ValdostaToyota.com | @ValdostaToyota
ITG Next | 23
Sullivan Shoulders Birth Defect Through
DANCE
Written by: Alex Dunn | Photography by: Milla Creationz Photography
Caroline Sullivan, senior at Tiftarea Academy, has danced 15 out of the 18 years of her life. She wasn’t introduced for traditional reasons, however, but because she needed it as a form of physical therapy at a young age. Sullivan was born with a rare congenital birth defect called Sprengel's Deformity, which is when the shoulder blade is abnormally connected to the spine. She had surgery when she was 4 to help treat the defect and since then has needed a form of physical therapy, which she will need for the rest of her life. 34 | itgnext.com
“Some days I get really discouraged, but I tell myself I cannot give up and there is always tomorrow to try again.” — Caroline Sullivan
Her parents decided to enroll her at the Carolyn Ellis School of Dance, where she learned different ways of moving her body with her condition. “During dance, it mainly affects my range of motion,” Sullivan said. “Some days I get really discouraged, but I tell myself I cannot give up and there is always tomorrow to try again.” While Sullivan’s perseverance and determination are notable, she has always had three supporting women throughout her dancing career. “Missy Hutto, my ballet teacher, has always un-
derstood my shoulder deformity,” Sullivan said. “She has showed me how to move my body in different ways to where my shoulder deformity would be less noticeable. Mallory Ward, owner of the studio, has taught me for the majority of my dance career. She knows me and my limits better than anyone else I know. I will never forget the day that she helped me accomplish my first back bend, which the doctors told me I would never be able to do. Erin Womack has been a huge role model throughout my life. She has taught me to dance with my heart and my body will just follow along.” Womack, who has been at the Carolyn Ellis School of Dance for 20 years, has nothing but affectionate words for her student's success.
“Even though Caroline has a shoulder blade condition, it is overlooked more often than not due to her ability to overcome,” Womack said. “I have seen her dance in large groups, small groups, and even by herself on stage. I do not notice any difference in Caroline because she has overcome many obstacles with hours of practice and determination as well as a ‘can do’ attitude.” Sullivan’s favorite styles of dance are jazz and lyrical, genres that Womack said are notable on stage. “These genres of dance tend to pull out her performance side as well as her technical abilities,” Womack said. “She also puts on the right face and tells stories with her dancing.” Sullivan has been on the competition team for eight years now and knows how much hard work and perseverance it takes to stay on top while still loving every minute of what she does. “We always work extremely hard during our onand offseasons and bring home many high placing awards,” Sullivan said. “The best feeling in the world is placing well at a competition because you realize that all the hour-long practices, lots of sweat — and sometimes even tears — have finally paid off.” While it is a thrill to bring home the big trophy, Sullivan understands that her true passion is not about winning, but dance itself.
“The best feeling in the world is placing well at a competition because you realize that all the hourlong practices, lots of sweat — and sometimes even tears — have finally paid off.”
— Caroline Sullivan
“I feel like dance is a way to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time,” she said. “Every day I strive to be better than I was the day before. I work hard and try to be the best role model I can for my younger peers. Dance has played a huge role in my life. It has not only just taught me dance moves, but it has helped me learn to love myself and my teammates. It has also given me major opportunities.” ITG Next | 35