Senior Garrett West has been nominated by FPD Educators for the Telegraph’s Golden Eagle award for athletics. West, was also nominated by FPD Coaches for the annual Vince Dooley Award. We sat down with him to talk about his thoughts on his career at FPD.

1. You started attending FPD starting in the 9th grade. What was it like for you being a new student at a new school?

Leaving my friends that I have known since I was young was hard. Luckily, there were some that I already knew at FPD from travel ball during the summers. The transition was not as nerve-racking as I thought it was going to be. Everyone was very accepting and made it seem as if it was home away from home. I have loved every second of my high school career at FPD.

   2.  What has the FPD experience been for you over the last four years?

The FPD experience has been a journey that has honestly changed my life. I have been a Christian since the first grade, but since I went to a public school, there were no classes about Christianity. When I came into FPD, I was able to take Bible classes and learn more about Jesus. This is one thing that I have really enjoyed because of everything I’ve been taught. Each class has helped strengthen my faith with the Lord. The students and faculty made me feel as if I had been there all of my life. The classmates were all very friendly and the teachers were all willing to help me succeed. FPD has shaped me into the person that I am today. They treated me as if I was family and FPD will always be special to me.

  3. Who are some teachers who impacted you the most in the class? How or what did they do?

Shane Hall has made a huge impact in my life. I asked him to begin mentoring me in my walk with the Lord and he has been there ever since. He and I meet every other Friday at Waffle House to just talk about Jesus struggles that I am going through. He is always there whenever I need someone to talk to. Coach Hall encourages me daily to seek the Lord first forever, which has truly changed me. His actions and the way he seeks the Lord has taught me how to be a Godly man. I could not thank him enough for what he has done.

 4. You have competed in various sports during your time as a student. Currently you are a senior on the FPD Baseball team. What are some of your favorite memories as an athlete?

Honestly, I’m going to miss all of the camaraderie that I have shared with my teammates. Every ride to games and fun times in the locker room are what will stick with me forever. The senior group of baseball players are special to me. We have an incredible bond. Each of us have grown so much over our high school career. All of the work and fun times we have shared will be dearly missed. One specific memory that I will remember was during my sophomore year against Tattnall Square Academy. Gavin Bloodworth started the game but took a baseball to the foot during the second inning. He was not able to pitch anymore, so I had to come in behind him. We were losing 2-0 when I came in. I threw 5 innings, gave up 1 hit, no runs, and we came back and scored 3 in the 6th I got the win. I was super excited about it and I couldn’t have done it without the Lord and my team.

 5. If someone were to ask you why they should send their children to FPD what would you tell them?

FPD is known for their ‘family’ love and support of the community. We are one big family. No one is treated differently and everyone looks out for each other. The teachers and administration only want to see the students succeed. They always put our best interest first and look for ways to help us strive for greatness. FPD also cares for the community. They want to see the city of Macon thrive and try to find ways to help out. For example, every year, students participate on an In-Town Mission Trip. I had the privilege to go on it this past year. We helped out with different non-profit organizations and also served the homeless. The Day School is a great place to be because they ensure that you feel welcome, loved, and most importantly, at home.

6. Where are you headed after graduation this spring? What are you planning to study?

I plan on attending the University of Montevallo in Alabama to further my baseball career at the collegiate level. I would like to major in biology and then go on to Medical School after and become an Orthopedic Surgeon.

7. Rapid Fire Questions –

A. Coke or Pepsi?

Mountain Dew

B. McDonalds or Arbys?

Arbys

C. Chick-Fil-A or Zaxby’s?

Zaxby’s

D. Favorite Color?

Red

E. Favorite Movie?

For The Love of the Game

F. What Super Hero Power would you want?

Mind-Reading


About the Nominations
Golden Eagle Awards are handed out in 12 categories: English/literature, foreign language, math, music, industrial/vocational, journalism, science, technology, art, athletics, citizenship and drama. Each of the 12 winners is given $1,000 from The Telegraph. The Golden Eagle Awards are given annually each spring and the golden eagle is a symbol long associated with The Telegraph.

The Vincent J. Dooley Awards and Scholarships are presented annually by Athletes for a Better World and the Georgia High School Association. Each year, every high school in Georgia is invited to select one male and one female senior athlete to receive the Vincent J. Dooley Award. The award recipients are chosen for their distinguished individual character, outstanding teamwork, and citizenship. The recipients of the Dooley Awards in every high school are eligible to become candidates for the Vincent J. Dooley Scholarship – a four year, $1,000 per year, college scholarship for one male and one female athlete, plus a one-time $500 donation to the selected charity of each of the two scholarship recipients.

The award recipients who choose to compete for the scholarship complete an online process and are reviewed by a selection committee, who choose 10 boys and 10 girls as finalists for the Dooley Scholarship. The Dooley Scholarship is then presented to one male and one female athlete.  All award recipients as well as finalists for the scholarships will be invited to a luncheon to receive their awards.

The purpose of the awards and scholarships is to call attention to the high esteem in which the values of hard work, sportsmanship, and community service are held, so that they may become a stronger part of the ethos of participation in Georgia high school sports. Since its inception, nearly $70,000 has been awarded to Dooley Scholarship recipients!

 

 

*Information used this article contains information from The Telegraph and Athletes For A Better World