Page 4 - Fall 2021

s| AROUND MAIN STREET Athletics molds
character
When an athlete shines on the field, track or court, it is only a small portion of the larger success of that person. Behind every athlete is a story of determination, grit and passion.
As an adult, the exercise I get is often solitary: lifting weights, running on the treadmill, walking the dog. But growing up, I competed in swim leagues and dabbled in team sports like soccer and basketball. Being part of a team taught me the value in the sum of all parts and how the best shot at winning is to really know and play to other players’ strengths— and to know your own weaknesses.
By no means would I call myself an athlete in high school. But I did strap on a 50-pound drum and march in both the Macy’s Day Parade and Rose Bowl Parade in the same school year. Anybody who has marched in a drumline knows that it takes a good bit of stamina and sweat. Marching band may not be a sport, but it is athletic in many ways. And the core principles are there too. Drumline taught me to push myself, mentally and physically. It taught me that hard work and persistence pays off. It taught me how working as a team results in something grand and beautiful.
Oconee County Warrior Samson Stearns, who sports jersey No. 19 on the field, grew up in a Zambian orphanage until he was adopted by Dave and Shelley Stearns.
Within months of moving to Georgia, he learned how to play football, which taught him how to face challenges with conviction and resolve.
Even though his football days are over, Super Bowl champion Jarius Wynn uses the character-building lessons from his younger days to set goals as a father and businessman. “I think life is what you make it,” Wynn told Oconee the Magazine. “You have ups and downs as a human, but I always just have faith in what I’m doing. And I continue to work
through it. Even if I fail, I find a way to continue to get better.”
Athletes learn to adapt, which is an important life skill. North Oconee High School
junior Camryn Wright transitioned from a gymnastics star to a valued member of the golf team.
The lessons of a sport or hobby are often engrained in an athlete for his or her whole life. At 78, Barry Shettel traversed the country on his bicycle this summer.
These stories of dedication and sheer willpower were inspiring to us as we put together this fall issue of Oconee the Magazine. We hope you find them equally encouraging as you go about this season setting goals and aspiring for excellence.
Volume 12, Number 1 Fall 2021
Supplement to The Oconee Enterprise Publisher
Maridee Williams
Editor
Michael Prochaska
Advertising Director
Maridee Williams
Contributing Writers
Justin Bray
Emily Dozier
Nancy Belle Hansford Justin Hubbard Cyndee Moore Morgan Phillips Michael Prochaska Ella Stillion Southard
Contributing Photographers
Phillip D Faulkner Michael Prochaska Justin Hubbard Nancy Belle Hansford
Graphic Design
Allyn R. Jenkins Arlette Revells George H. Windate
Sales Representatives
Tracy Harmon Maridee Williams
Circulation
Maridee Williams
OCONEE THE MAGAZINE is published quarterly plus a holiday bonus issue
by Oconee Enterprise, Inc. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without express written consent of the publisher. This includes advertisements designed and produced by OCONEE THE MAGAZINE.
OCONEE THE MAGAZINE accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork, and none will be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Address inquiries to:
P.O. Box 535, Watkinsville, GA 30677 or oconeethemagazine@gmail.com
© 2021 Oconee Enterprise, Inc. All rights reserved.
By Michael Prochaska
sMichael Prochaska is editor of OCONEE THE MAGAZINE and The Oconee Enterprise newspaper in Watkinsville, Ga.
PAGE 2 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | FALL 2021