FILE
Young people need structure, guidance and a sense of belonging in order to grow up as successful contributors to society.
Many times in our community, it is our youth coaches, pastors and other volunteer leaders who help shape our youth outside the classroom and home environments. One major contributing program to that mission is Scouts BSA.
In Clarkesville, COVID-19 took Cub Scout Pack 5 down to almost zero. The group had one interested student and no leaders. But Cubmaster Al Skelton stepped up and helped rebuild the pack into a lively group of wide-eyed youngsters.
The Troop 5 program in Clarkesville for the older Boy Scouts also has thrived, thanks to the leadership of Scoutmaster Jake McGahee and a host of parents and Scouting volunteers who have mentored our youth. They have consistently produced Eagle Scout honorees, who are proven to go on to increased success in their adult lives.
At the Scout Sunday presentation last weekend at Clarkesville First United Methodist Church, the boys showed the congregation what they were made of, seamlessly providing wisdom and prayer from the pulpit as if they spoke in front of a worship hall every day. What those young men showed was impressive and should be encouraged and commended in our community.
And there are many more examples of this mentorship as well. Blake Foster’s Habersham United Believers (HUB) program has dozens of dedicated members of the community who offer comfort and guidance to at-risk youth. The Tim Lee Boys and Girls Club of Habersham County has thrived since its inception in helping youth find ways to stay focused and healthy, away from negative temptations.
Many of our high school coaches have worked wonders with their student athletes, bringing them not only success between the lines, but teaching them to unite and work as a team. Habersham County girls basketball coach Bill Bradley has lifted his teams to great success despite adversity. The Lady Raiders did not let lack of experienced personnel, rule changes or any other outside force stop them from making the state playoffs for a fourth-straight year. And Bradley’s leadership and mentorship has a lot to do with their success.
On the boys’ side, first-year Raider basketball coach Tommy Yancey has led the team to a winning record in a season with just two seniors who were on their third head coach in high school. Yancey gets his players to work as hard as anyone on the court, which leads to getting every drop of production out of them. Players do not play that hard for coaches they do not respect.
These are just some of the talented mentors of our youth we are blessed with in Habersham County.