TERRE HAUTE —
My name is Zacchary Lewis and I just graduated from Terre Haute South this past June. I played football there and wrestled for a few years.
Something was brought to my attention not too long ago about myself and four other young men who, just like me. Graduated from THS and played football.
The five of us together are young black males who are attending college in order to better our lives entirely. A lot of attention is focused on black males who don’t succeed and things like that but not enough is put on those who do.
Below I have written something I think will help bring light to this new positive journey we are taking this fall.
Almost five years ago, Mark Raetz was named head coach of Terre Haute South football and a new journey was beginning. He was installing a system that was going to prove to help a group of diverse young men succeed. Nate Hutchinson, Tre Stephens, Elijah Beard, Hodari Brown and me, Zacchary Lewis, are five young African-American men who bought into the system and are taking the next step by attending a four-year college.
It would be easy to say that these young men made it to the next level because of Coach Raetz’s system, but it’s not that easy. They had it set in their minds they would go to college, not to play football but to get am education. An education was always the ultimate goal but the football along the way taught valuable life lessons that did help quite a bit. Lessons such as accountability, working hard to attain your goals and integrity are the big ones. They learned if you have to be somewhere at a certain time, then you need to be there because that’s your personal responsibility.
They also learned that doing the right things when somebody is looking takes a lot, but doing the right things when nobody is looking takes a lot more. These lessons learned are the keys to any young man’s success. The tools were placed in front of them and they used them to their full advantage.
Terre Haute South football provided a blueprint for these young men to follow. They enjoyed the structure and the hard work you had to do in order to prove yourself. Every day was a new chance and every day you have to work at what you do. Not only did the five take those things and use them on the field but they also used then in the classroom. If they had to be to class at 9:26 then they were there on time because that’s accountability and that’s doing the right thing.
Four out of the five young men graduated with an Academic or Technical Honors Diploma. Elijah Beard will be attending Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Tre Stephens will be attending Earlham College and playing football. Nate Hutchinson will be attending Indiana University. Hodari Brown and Zacchary Lewis will be attending Indiana State University, where Zacchary will be playing football.
I don’t know if this is good writing or not, but it’s something I care deeply about and I want people to have more notice about it. I also think it can help other young men succeed by them seeing that doing the right things will get you far.
— Zacchary Lewis
Terre Haute
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Doing right things will get you going in positive direction
- Flashpoint
-
-
FLASHPOINT:Bipartisan vs. Nonpartisan
During the primary election season there was much discussion regarding whether bipartisanship is a positive or negative attribute as it relates to the work of the United States Congress.
-
FLASHPOINT: School libraries essential for reading achievement
If the situation were not so serious, it would be laughable. How can we improve reading achievement if we make it more difficult to put books in the hands of our children?
-
FLASHPOINT: Lugar warns of 'unrelenting partisan mindset'
I would like to comment on the Senate race just concluded and the direction of American politics and the Republican Party.
-
FLASHPOINT: Is money a problem in politics? Depends on where you sit
The role of money in politics needs to be better understood. Does it make the political system work better, or is it a problem — and if so, how much of one?
-
FLASHPOINT: ‘Private’ clubs should be exempt from smoking bans
Over the past several years I have watched the Vigo County Council, followed by the City Council, and lastly the legislature of the great state of Indiana, wrestle with a smoking ban.
-
FLASHPOINT: Downtown developers should share more details on project
With all of the opinions being expressed about the fate of the 500 block of Wabash Avenue, one element is sorely missing: the details.
-
FLASHPOINT: Be careful when making accusations of ‘racism’
Perhaps, in a way that he doesn’t understand, Attorney General Eric Holder is correct in accusing America of being cowardly about discussing issues of race.
-
FLASHPOINT: Historic hotel demolition was shameful day for Terre Haute
In an April 13 article on the potential demolition of historic buildings at Fifth and Wabash for student housing, Mike Ellis says, “I love the old historic buildings and have always had a passion to see them saved and restored. I was an opponent of seeing the Terre Haute House come down and the new hotel go up,” he said. “I have been proven wrong with what that would do for Terre Haute.”
-
FLASHPOINT: Notes on saving structural history
There are several reasons why the historic buildings adjacent and west of Roger’s Jewelers should be saved, and why our downtown needs to protect and embrace our remaining historic fabric. First and foremost, rehab and reuse saves our historic buildings for future generations to experience, and the more architectural authenticity our downtown preserves, the more admired and “walkable” it will become.
-
FLASHPOINT: Can anyone hear the call from Farrington's Grove
On Friday, March 30, a dear friend was brutally attacked in broad daylight in an alley in the neighborhood I grew up in, on the edge of Farrington’s Grove.
-
FLASHPOINT: We have the power to co-exist without violence or prejudice
Innumerable forces in our lives, and throughout our society, seem to have convinced us that immediacy is best. We have to do it now. We have to have it now. We must go there now. We need it now!
-
FLASHPOINT: Issue surrounding Florida shooting fueled by race
I am writing as a mother and as president of the Terre Haute branch of the NAACP because there may be some who wonder why the shooting of Trayvon Martin has created such an uproar: “What exactly is the issue?”
-
FLASHPOINT: Indiana — open for business
With the 2012 legislative session in the rearview mirror, the two-year work of the 117th General Assembly elected in November of 2010 is complete.
-
FLASHPOINT: The Constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act
On March 26, the United States Supreme Court will begin three days of hearings with six hours of oral argument on the constitutional challenge filed by Indiana and 25 other states against certain sections of the federal health care law: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as “Obamacare.” This historic lawsuit will explore the limits of the power of Congress under the U.S. Constitution.
-
FLASHPOINT: The burning questions of ‘Fahrenheit 451’
“Remember the firemen are rarely necessary. The public stopped reading of its own accord.” — Ray Bradbury, “Fahrenheit 451”
-
FLASHPOINT: Wonderful place to be during a very hard time
University Hospital (Indianapolis), part of IU Health Group, is a wonderful place to be if you are seriously ill.
-
FLASHPOINT: America’s energy brings America jobs
The increase in fuel prices affects many aspects of our daily lives.
-
FLASHPOINT: Change coming to the Indiana Statehouse
The General Assembly is about to undergo a major face-lift. I’m not talking about new construction. I’m talking about destruction — partisan destruction, in fact.
-
FLASHPOINT: White House rejects Keystone XL: Sad day for U.S. workers
Imagine a project that could create 20,000 American jobs during construction, and as many as half a million longer-term positions.
-
FLASHPOINT: Graduation rates are up; great news for Indiana
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride.
-
FLASHPOINT: Tech trail leading us into a dense, digital forest
It seems the Southwest Parke schools are the latest to play the laptop lottery game.
-
FLASHPOINT: Republicans enable war on middle class, unions
About six years ago at the pinnacle of the Bush/GOP Dictatorship, I began telling you that the wealthy and Corporate America were laying the ground work to politically, financially and physically take over America.
-
FLASHPOINT: Howey ignores truth to advance his agenda
Brian Howey’s Jan. 8 column about the U.S. Senate race proves once again that he will not allow the facts or journalistic ethics to get in the way of attacking Richard Mourdock and promoting his chosen candidate, Dick Lugar.
-
FLASHPOINT: Putting fairness first
This time of year, with chords of Auld Lang Syne still ringing in our ears, it’s not uncommon or unnatural to think of days gone by as being more desirable than the era we live in today.
-
FLASHPOINT: What really motivates right-to-work proposal?
You may have heard about the upcoming “right-to-work” legislation before our lawmakers in the next session of “law making.”
-
FLASHPOINT: The right-to-work debate: ‘Devil at Our Doorstep’
As the 2012 Indiana Legislative Assembly convenes, January will represent a tipping point for all Hoosiers’ individual freedoms as politicians and Big Labor draw battle lines to determine if Indiana will become the 23rd right-to-work state.
-
FLASHPOINT: State’s House Democrats will offer alternative for job creation
As the leaders of single-party control in state government outline their agendas for the 2012 session of the Indiana General Assembly, it is easy to be cynical about their intentions in the months to come.
-
FLASHPOINT: Community colleges must lead way in reshaping higher education
In the 1970s, I began what was three decades in the automotive industry. ... Today, in my position as president of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, I see higher education confronted with some of these same challenges.
-
FLASHPOINT: There’s little right about ‘right to work’ proposal
The danger contained in these three simple words – “Right to Work” — is that they sound so innocent.
-
FLASHPOINT: The next big movement? Reform Congress
We are living through one of the most remarkable times in recent history.
- More Flashpoint Headlines
-
FLASHPOINT:Bipartisan vs. Nonpartisan
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Castro's Daughter Takes on U.S.-Cuban Relations
1 Dead After Crop-Dusters Collide in Midair
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Romney: "I'd Like Every Parent to Have a Choice"
Raw Video: School Bus Hits House
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Clinton Touts Rights Advances, Assails Assad
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Fight erupts in Ukrainian parliament over language bill.
Racy ad encourages safe sex for senior citizens
New Video of The Dark Knight Rises Released by Warner Brothers
Coach dismissed after going to prom with student
Jennifer Lopez's Rock Hard Abs
Plane Passenger Records Engine Hatch Blowing Off
What Katy Perry Thinks Makes Her Hot
Toddlers Mistake Laundry Detergent TidePods for Candy, Get Poisoned
Anderson Kicks Guest Off Show
Lolo Jones Admits Trouble Keeping Boyfriends
Behind 'Breaking Bad's' Big Bang
Big Bang Theory Star Comes Out
Laundromat video: It was the babysitter and her friend
"The Choking Game" - Deadly Trend for Youth
Sanchez Eager to Start Her Career after 'Idol'
K.Stew's Topless Confession at Cannes
American Idol Crowns a Champ
