Girls' basketball: Effort there, but JCCHS still not in sync, coach says

Jefferson has gotten a bad reputation because of comments like this in the past. Over the past year, I've gotten acquainted with a lot of the parents and athletes at Jefferson and none of them would have ever made the comment this individual made. Jefferson is a top notch High School with that has an excellent balance between athletics, academics, christianity and school pride. Maybe we will see another comment from Starscream after the Jackson / Jefferson basketball game since he/she feels that Jackson has a pathetic and worthless team. I wonder what Starscreams comment or excuse will be if Jackson beats Jefferson.

Competition is good for a community but putting down other schools in an attempt to make you feel better about yourself is just wrong on so many different levels. We all have to remember while we do compete against each other we still live in the same county/community. These types of comments can affect your home prices etc. as well because individuals coming into the county hear positive comments but they remember the negative comments forever. By no means am I insinuating that Jefferson is the only school doing this - it happens at ever school.

One final comment about the Athletic program at Jackson County. I've only lived in Jackson County for almost 6 years so I can't talk about the history of the program but I can speak about what I've witnessed. We have multiple issues that are now finally being addressed:

1. When we have a coaching vacancy it seems we always try to fill within with the excuse that we do not have an open teaching spot to bring in an external coach. Winning programs make a spot and they go after proven Head Coaches that can make an impact. (example of a program where the Football Team has suffered for multiple years similar to Jackson County - Rabun County just hired Lee Shaw to be its Head Coach from Flowery Branch High School.)

2. Household - we as tax payers need to demand more out of our High School Administration and Board for excellence in Athletics and Academics. As parents we need to be positive and stop being part of the problem - it's easy for everyone to points fingers at the problem and be negative. We need to take pride in our community, High School and kids by speaking out.

3. Students - you need to take pride in yourself. When you put down the High School or one of the Athletic programs you are actually making fun of yourself. Why would anyone in their right mind make fun of the High School where they are getting their diploma.

4. Athletes - take pride in yourself and be all you can be. Fight every day to make yourself better physically, mentally and academically. This process will not only payoff now but it's a proven method of success in life. If you only put 50% into something you can only expect a maximum of 50% back - same goes for life.

5. School programs - each program should work together as one and support one another. I asked a question the other day why our band didn't play at our basketball games like they do at Oconee High School - the answer I got was that the band does not have time. Perfect example of programs not supporting each other and the lack of school spirt.

At the end of the day, the High School Administration and the Board have to do wants right for the community and thats not always the path of least resistance. Parents have to support the High School and demand more out of their kids - don't allow them just to skate by. Kids take pride in yourself and work now so that it pays off in life.

Scott Smith the New Principle and Jason Holcombe the New Athletics Director at Jackson County both have proven records of success. If the community stands behind them and we demand excellence from the Administration, Board and our kids we will see a drastic change in both Athletics and Academics in the very near future.

Sincerely

Proud Parent of Jackson County Students