Dr. Standifer Addresses Young Athletes
Fans of both county high schools—Jasper County High School and Piedmont Academy— gathered together last Sunday for the annual Fall Tailgate Service hosted by the Monticello First United Methodist Church (FUMC).
Pastor Ben Strength wished a good season for both teams and noted that winning feels good and losing feels bad, but sometimes we learn more from losing.
After the introduction of coaches, Dr. Alton Standifer gave the keynote address. He is a 2007 graduate of Jasper County High School who now serves as Vice Provost and Chief of Staff to the Provost at the University of Georgia.
Dr Standifer remembered one of his most impactful years was returning to teach math at Jasper County Middle School, teaching across the hall from where he used to “cut up” in class, and having students in his math class doing the same. Dr. Standifer said as an educator his favorite times of the year were the first day of school and the last day as educators in attendance were nodding their heads.
He told the students not to ignore the “little things” that you’re not excited about but that make a difference—don’t skip reps in the weight room, don’t skip hard practice days. Olympic athletes had this week experienced victories by fractions of a second or only one point, differences made possible by paying attention to little things.
Dr. Standifer reminded the attendees to “keep the main thing the main thing.” So many distractions and competing priorities make it difficult in what you’re trying to accomplish that will make you successful. He recalled having help figuring his own main thing from one his favorite high school teachers who was present, Amy Scroggs. She would sometimes help him by pulling him by his shirt out of class when he was making really good jokes and asking, “what do you think you’re doing.” Figure out that main thing and chase it with all that you’ve got, he said.
Wrapping up he said, “Live in the moment. You will never get the moments of this year back; enjoy this time right now. Don’t fast forward this season of life you’re in right now. You’re never going to get these opportunities back; take advantage of them. Do the little things well.”
After Dr. Standifer spoke attendees were treated to special music from Monticello FUMC’s Gail Cowart and Conley Cove Sunday School’s Reid Robinson. After the benediction and blessing attendees snacked on hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and dessert.
