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December 2010
Hitting the Mark
by Jordan Manning
Senior Breslin Perry loves being on the South Cobb High School Lady Eagles fastpitch softball team as well as her travel team. “Being on the field is where I feel at home,” Perry says. “I feel relaxed, calm and focused. I feel in control.”
Perry has been playing softball for 14 years. She wakes up at 7 a.m. and then goes to workouts. From there, she goes to school. She practices from 4-6:30 p.m. followed by hitting practice from 7:30-9 p.m. Then she goes home to study. “It’s very intense,” she says.
Perry maintains a 3.95 grade point average, is vice-president of the school’s chapter of National Honor Society, and takes Advanced Placement and Honors classes, all while holding the school’s record for the highest batting average and runs scored. “The Lord won’t put more on me than I can handle,” she says of her hectic schedule.
Taking her academics seriously and stressing the student part of student-athlete, Perry was recently rewarded for her efforts when she accepted a scholarship to the University of Memphis. Perry plans to become an anthropologist, and she loves the anthropology department at Memphis. The coaching staff and her future teammates were another reason why she chose the school. “They made me feel like I was at home,” she says.
“Breslin is the best defensive outfielder I’ve seen play this year,” says softball coach Mark Collins. “She is also one of the best athletes I have coached, on and off the field.”
For inspiration, Perry looks to softball athletes Natasha Watley and Jennie Finch, both members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal team. “Natasha is a wonderful slap-hitter and has excellent mechanics,” says Perry. “Jennie always had a positive attitude. She inspired me mentally.”
by Jordan Manning
Senior Breslin Perry loves being on the South Cobb High School Lady Eagles fastpitch softball team as well as her travel team. “Being on the field is where I feel at home,” Perry says. “I feel relaxed, calm and focused. I feel in control.”Perry has been playing softball for 14 years. She wakes up at 7 a.m. and then goes to workouts. From there, she goes to school. She practices from 4-6:30 p.m. followed by hitting practice from 7:30-9 p.m. Then she goes home to study. “It’s very intense,” she says.
Perry maintains a 3.95 grade point average, is vice-president of the school’s chapter of National Honor Society, and takes Advanced Placement and Honors classes, all while holding the school’s record for the highest batting average and runs scored. “The Lord won’t put more on me than I can handle,” she says of her hectic schedule.
Taking her academics seriously and stressing the student part of student-athlete, Perry was recently rewarded for her efforts when she accepted a scholarship to the University of Memphis. Perry plans to become an anthropologist, and she loves the anthropology department at Memphis. The coaching staff and her future teammates were another reason why she chose the school. “They made me feel like I was at home,” she says.
“Breslin is the best defensive outfielder I’ve seen play this year,” says softball coach Mark Collins. “She is also one of the best athletes I have coached, on and off the field.”
For inspiration, Perry looks to softball athletes Natasha Watley and Jennie Finch, both members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal team. “Natasha is a wonderful slap-hitter and has excellent mechanics,” says Perry. “Jennie always had a positive attitude. She inspired me mentally.”
Sports Managers
by Kasey Marie Collier
The South Cobb sports managers devote their time behind the scenes coordinating and caring for the needs of athletes throughout the season and beyond. Sports managers are there to promote good health and fitness among the players by providing hydration and attending to the injured.
South Cobb High School credits those behind the scenes for managing its teams. Seniors Jordan Manning, Brooke Blatman, Chanel Blackful, Mary Abrir and Emily Watson are commended for their services.
Manning, Abrir and Blatmon are the senior managers for the South Cobb football team. Blackful managed the South Cobb cheerleaders this year. Watson is a manager for the South Cobb basketball team.
Although it takes a lot of time and patience to be a manager, the girls have enjoyed the opportunity to expand their passion for sports and to help people. Their job requires patience and a good attitude.
Watson says the lasting friendships she has gained have brightened her future, “opening lots of choices careerwise.” Abrir says, “I love what I do and would like to take this up as a part of my college life.”
Manning’s advice for future managers is: “Just do it. I think you will really enjoy it. It’s something completely brand new.” Blatman adds, “It’s not just fun, it’s not as easy. It’s a job.”
by Kasey Marie Collier
The South Cobb sports managers devote their time behind the scenes coordinating and caring for the needs of athletes throughout the season and beyond. Sports managers are there to promote good health and fitness among the players by providing hydration and attending to the injured.South Cobb High School credits those behind the scenes for managing its teams. Seniors Jordan Manning, Brooke Blatman, Chanel Blackful, Mary Abrir and Emily Watson are commended for their services.
Manning, Abrir and Blatmon are the senior managers for the South Cobb football team. Blackful managed the South Cobb cheerleaders this year. Watson is a manager for the South Cobb basketball team.
Although it takes a lot of time and patience to be a manager, the girls have enjoyed the opportunity to expand their passion for sports and to help people. Their job requires patience and a good attitude.
Watson says the lasting friendships she has gained have brightened her future, “opening lots of choices careerwise.” Abrir says, “I love what I do and would like to take this up as a part of my college life.”
Manning’s advice for future managers is: “Just do it. I think you will really enjoy it. It’s something completely brand new.” Blatman adds, “It’s not just fun, it’s not as easy. It’s a job.”
November 2010
Academic All-Stars
by Kasey-Marie Collier
Some student-athletes are able to answer the challenge of balancing athletics and academics by attaining a high standard in each area. South Cobb High School has two academic all-stars: offensive guard and defensive tackle Garrison Ushery and cheerleader Brianna Moses.
Garrison Ushery says that for a person to make good grades they must be diligent and “force [themselves] to do schoolwork.” After football practice, he does not allow daily distractions such as television and video games to interfere with his work ethic. Ushery states that only “lack of self motivation” can stop someone from doing their best.
Ushery names his parents, Phoebe and Gerald Ushery, as well as his aunt Kathye and grandfather Alfonsa Dawson, as the positive influences who have guided him thus far. His number one academic desire is to be the best he can and finish his senior year with a 4.0 grade point average. He spends at least five hours per week studying and an additional seven hours per week at football practice.
His advice to ninth-graders is to stay focused. “Your freshman year is most important and is the foundation to your high school career,” Ushery says.
Coach Ed Koester notes that Ushery has been a high achiever since ninth grade. “There is little doubt he will finish as an accomplished student,” says Koester. Our hopes are he will be able to realize his dreams as a college athlete.” A solid performer on the offensive and defensive lines for the South Cobb Eagles, Ushery would like to continue his football career at the college level.
Brianna Moses is a violinist, cheerleader and an excellent student who aspires to become a genetic counselor. She says that her mom and her self-determination are what allow her to “go ahead with full accord towards achievement of academic goals while being a cheerleader.” She does not allow bad influences to drag her down. Utilizing time management skills to stay focused and organized, Moses studies “a gazillion hours a week” while dedicating at least seven hours to cheer practice.
Her advice for freshmen who want to make good grades is to “stay focused and review every night and don’t be ashamed to ask questions. It’s okay to make good grades, the prize is much better in the long run.”
Coach Valentine says, “[Brianna] will endure to the end always expecting the highest level of performance from herself. She demonstrates the best determination skills and has focus that nets results. Her ability to place activity and academics in proper priority inspires all our girls to be better students. We are proud of her and have confidence she will one day reach her goals.”
Moses and Ushery shared their ideas for a model school and an ideal teacher. “An ideal school has spirit and supports its school activities, while the model teacher is one who explains into detail and makes sure students follow through,” says Ushery.
Moses says, “The beauty of the school is not expressed on the outside. It lies inside, between the students, teachers and administrators through their positive mindsets, and with teachers that express their love for the subject and are patient towards their perspective students.”
In a day of high-stakes testing and great competition to gain a spot in college, their example defies the adage that jocks and brains don’t go together. As student athletes, Moses and Ushery have pledged to go the extra mile in reaching beyond the common standards of competitors and scholars to become examples for South Cobb High.
by Kasey-Marie Collier
Some student-athletes are able to answer the challenge of balancing athletics and academics by attaining a high standard in each area. South Cobb High School has two academic all-stars: offensive guard and defensive tackle Garrison Ushery and cheerleader Brianna Moses.Garrison Ushery says that for a person to make good grades they must be diligent and “force [themselves] to do schoolwork.” After football practice, he does not allow daily distractions such as television and video games to interfere with his work ethic. Ushery states that only “lack of self motivation” can stop someone from doing their best.
Ushery names his parents, Phoebe and Gerald Ushery, as well as his aunt Kathye and grandfather Alfonsa Dawson, as the positive influences who have guided him thus far. His number one academic desire is to be the best he can and finish his senior year with a 4.0 grade point average. He spends at least five hours per week studying and an additional seven hours per week at football practice.
His advice to ninth-graders is to stay focused. “Your freshman year is most important and is the foundation to your high school career,” Ushery says.
Coach Ed Koester notes that Ushery has been a high achiever since ninth grade. “There is little doubt he will finish as an accomplished student,” says Koester. Our hopes are he will be able to realize his dreams as a college athlete.” A solid performer on the offensive and defensive lines for the South Cobb Eagles, Ushery would like to continue his football career at the college level.
Brianna Moses is a violinist, cheerleader and an excellent student who aspires to become a genetic counselor. She says that her mom and her self-determination are what allow her to “go ahead with full accord towards achievement of academic goals while being a cheerleader.” She does not allow bad influences to drag her down. Utilizing time management skills to stay focused and organized, Moses studies “a gazillion hours a week” while dedicating at least seven hours to cheer practice.
Her advice for freshmen who want to make good grades is to “stay focused and review every night and don’t be ashamed to ask questions. It’s okay to make good grades, the prize is much better in the long run.”
Coach Valentine says, “[Brianna] will endure to the end always expecting the highest level of performance from herself. She demonstrates the best determination skills and has focus that nets results. Her ability to place activity and academics in proper priority inspires all our girls to be better students. We are proud of her and have confidence she will one day reach her goals.”
Moses and Ushery shared their ideas for a model school and an ideal teacher. “An ideal school has spirit and supports its school activities, while the model teacher is one who explains into detail and makes sure students follow through,” says Ushery.
Moses says, “The beauty of the school is not expressed on the outside. It lies inside, between the students, teachers and administrators through their positive mindsets, and with teachers that express their love for the subject and are patient towards their perspective students.”
In a day of high-stakes testing and great competition to gain a spot in college, their example defies the adage that jocks and brains don’t go together. As student athletes, Moses and Ushery have pledged to go the extra mile in reaching beyond the common standards of competitors and scholars to become examples for South Cobb High.
All photography submitted by South Cobb High School
