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April 2011
Student Spotlight: Seth Corbitt
by Harley Hudson
Thomas County Central High School senior Seth Corbitt has been playing baseball for 11 years and is currently a pitcher and shortstop for the Yellow Jackets. He says it is an honor to play for a team with a winning tradition. Corbitt was named one of the Top 100 high school baseball players in Georgia last year and was awarded the title of All-Area shortstop for the 2010 season. His greatest accomplishment thus far was receiving a full athletic scholarship from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.
Although Corbitt is excited for his college career to begin, his goal for this season is to contribute to the success of his Yellow Jackets. He plans to do his job in the infield and make steady, routine plays. Corbitt wants to be a team leader as he looks up to one of his role models, Yellow Jackets baseball coach Chad Parkerson.
One key to being a team leader is being a team player. “Seth is the kind of guy that will sacrifice his limelight to put the spotlight one of his fellow teammates. He will do anything necessary for his team.” says coach Bill Wilhelm.
As a very humble, respected player at Thomas County Central High, Corbitt doesn’t take credit for his talents. He gives all the honor and glory to God and thanks his parents for always being on his side. Corbitt says he is appreciative of his abilities and thanks God every day for all of the blessings in his life. One verse Corbitt often refers to is Ephesians 6:16-17: “Withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Baseball is a priority for Corbitt. “I want to see [baseball] in my future as much as I can,” he says. “I like being a scrappy player, hard to get out. I feel that I have earned respect from other players and coaches.”
Corbitt enjoys working out and playing Xbox when he is not perfecting his baseball game or studying for his classes. Corbitt works hard in school and realizes college is going to be a challenging new experience. He plans to pursue degrees in information technology and criminal justice. After college, he hopes to work for the government.
by Harley Hudson
Thomas County Central High School senior Seth Corbitt has been playing baseball for 11 years and is currently a pitcher and shortstop for the Yellow Jackets. He says it is an honor to play for a team with a winning tradition. Corbitt was named one of the Top 100 high school baseball players in Georgia last year and was awarded the title of All-Area shortstop for the 2010 season. His greatest accomplishment thus far was receiving a full athletic scholarship from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.
Although Corbitt is excited for his college career to begin, his goal for this season is to contribute to the success of his Yellow Jackets. He plans to do his job in the infield and make steady, routine plays. Corbitt wants to be a team leader as he looks up to one of his role models, Yellow Jackets baseball coach Chad Parkerson.
One key to being a team leader is being a team player. “Seth is the kind of guy that will sacrifice his limelight to put the spotlight one of his fellow teammates. He will do anything necessary for his team.” says coach Bill Wilhelm.
As a very humble, respected player at Thomas County Central High, Corbitt doesn’t take credit for his talents. He gives all the honor and glory to God and thanks his parents for always being on his side. Corbitt says he is appreciative of his abilities and thanks God every day for all of the blessings in his life. One verse Corbitt often refers to is Ephesians 6:16-17: “Withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Baseball is a priority for Corbitt. “I want to see [baseball] in my future as much as I can,” he says. “I like being a scrappy player, hard to get out. I feel that I have earned respect from other players and coaches.”
Corbitt enjoys working out and playing Xbox when he is not perfecting his baseball game or studying for his classes. Corbitt works hard in school and realizes college is going to be a challenging new experience. He plans to pursue degrees in information technology and criminal justice. After college, he hopes to work for the government.
January 2011
Ray Drew: Thomas County Central’s All-American
by Harley Hudson
When he was freshman, Thomas County Central defensive end Ray Drew dreamed of playing in an All-American League. He believed it to be a long shot and wasn’t sure he would succeed, but he didn’t let doubt stop him. Now a senior, Drew has been invited to play in the Army All-American Game.
At 6’5” and 250 pounds, Drew is a football phenomenon, ending his senior year with 59 tackles, three caused fumbles, one fumble recovery, four pass break-ups, three tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and 15 quarterback pressures.
Drew says it has been an honor to play for Thomas County Central High School. He vividly remembers his favorite high school moment: “[In] my very first game starting against Thomasville High School, Charles Hays dropped the back on the pocket to try to throw the touchdown winning pass, and I sacked him.”
He was named 2009 All-State, 2010 Preseason All-State, All-Area and All-Region, and he holds the TCC record for discus and power clean in track. Despite the accolades, Drew says, “I am not happy with myself in playing football because I know [that] no matter what you do, there is always room for improvement.” When advising younger players, Drew says, “Set goals for yourself and work at them each day. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.”
Looking forward to college, Drew has enjoyed the recruiting process. “The food is awesome, definitely the best part!” he says. Wanted by more than 50 colleges in the SEC and NCAA, Drew has not decided where he wants to go but he is excited for his senior year to come to a close, “knowing that there is a world out there to be explored.”
Drew is popular among his fellow residents of Thomasville, including children who look up to him as a role model. “Just knowing that kids look up to me is an inspiration,” says Drew, a volunteer mentor at a local elementary school. “The ability to influence and touch lives of younger people makes me feel overjoyed and makes me have a positive frame of mind because I have the ability to give back to the community.”
Drew also tries to be a good influence for his 14-year-old brother, Devan. “I try to be a good role model for him because I know he looks up to me,” says Drew. “We may fight, but we love each other.” Drew relies on the support and influence of his family, especially his parents, Pamela and Ray Drew Sr., to become a man of strong character and virtue. He enjoys the time he spends with them and is willing to put them first.
“Throughout all my accomplishments and my achievements, I’m very willing to jump at the opportunity to give all the honor and glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because I know that none of this would be possible without Him,” says Drew. “The only way to get this far in reaching your dreams in life is to work hard, believe in yourself and make time for what you believe in.”
If the opportunity to pursue a football career in the NFL comes along, Drew says he would take it. “I love football for the simple reason that you can knock somebody’s head off and not get in trouble – unless it is helmet to helmet contact,” he laughs. While Ray loves football, he also participates in basketball, track and wrestling. Even though one might assume that football would be his heart, it’s not. “Football is not my biggest passion,” says Drew. “My biggest passion would be… fishing.”
In preparation for the Army All-American Game in January, Drew will participate in postseason practice. He plans to run, do wind sprints to keep in shape and lift weights to maintain muscle mass. When Drew discovered that he had been invited, he was thrilled to achieve one of his most challenging goals. “With having this opportunity, the feeling of this success is priceless. Knowing that I am one of 90 out of the 2.6 million [athletes] playing high school football is very overwhelming.”
by Harley Hudson
When he was freshman, Thomas County Central defensive end Ray Drew dreamed of playing in an All-American League. He believed it to be a long shot and wasn’t sure he would succeed, but he didn’t let doubt stop him. Now a senior, Drew has been invited to play in the Army All-American Game.
At 6’5” and 250 pounds, Drew is a football phenomenon, ending his senior year with 59 tackles, three caused fumbles, one fumble recovery, four pass break-ups, three tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and 15 quarterback pressures.
Drew says it has been an honor to play for Thomas County Central High School. He vividly remembers his favorite high school moment: “[In] my very first game starting against Thomasville High School, Charles Hays dropped the back on the pocket to try to throw the touchdown winning pass, and I sacked him.”
He was named 2009 All-State, 2010 Preseason All-State, All-Area and All-Region, and he holds the TCC record for discus and power clean in track. Despite the accolades, Drew says, “I am not happy with myself in playing football because I know [that] no matter what you do, there is always room for improvement.” When advising younger players, Drew says, “Set goals for yourself and work at them each day. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.”
Looking forward to college, Drew has enjoyed the recruiting process. “The food is awesome, definitely the best part!” he says. Wanted by more than 50 colleges in the SEC and NCAA, Drew has not decided where he wants to go but he is excited for his senior year to come to a close, “knowing that there is a world out there to be explored.”
Drew is popular among his fellow residents of Thomasville, including children who look up to him as a role model. “Just knowing that kids look up to me is an inspiration,” says Drew, a volunteer mentor at a local elementary school. “The ability to influence and touch lives of younger people makes me feel overjoyed and makes me have a positive frame of mind because I have the ability to give back to the community.”
Drew also tries to be a good influence for his 14-year-old brother, Devan. “I try to be a good role model for him because I know he looks up to me,” says Drew. “We may fight, but we love each other.” Drew relies on the support and influence of his family, especially his parents, Pamela and Ray Drew Sr., to become a man of strong character and virtue. He enjoys the time he spends with them and is willing to put them first.
“Throughout all my accomplishments and my achievements, I’m very willing to jump at the opportunity to give all the honor and glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because I know that none of this would be possible without Him,” says Drew. “The only way to get this far in reaching your dreams in life is to work hard, believe in yourself and make time for what you believe in.”
If the opportunity to pursue a football career in the NFL comes along, Drew says he would take it. “I love football for the simple reason that you can knock somebody’s head off and not get in trouble – unless it is helmet to helmet contact,” he laughs. While Ray loves football, he also participates in basketball, track and wrestling. Even though one might assume that football would be his heart, it’s not. “Football is not my biggest passion,” says Drew. “My biggest passion would be… fishing.”
In preparation for the Army All-American Game in January, Drew will participate in postseason practice. He plans to run, do wind sprints to keep in shape and lift weights to maintain muscle mass. When Drew discovered that he had been invited, he was thrilled to achieve one of his most challenging goals. “With having this opportunity, the feeling of this success is priceless. Knowing that I am one of 90 out of the 2.6 million [athletes] playing high school football is very overwhelming.”
All photography submitted by Thomas County Central High School
