The importance of sports: Lanett Jr. High coaches speak to seniors

Published 10:00 am Friday, November 29, 2024

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LANETT — Tuesday was game day at the Lanett Senior Center. Participants were encouraged to wear sweatshirts of their favorite college team or to wear the school colors of their high school alma mater.

Terrence Staples and Ritae Zeigler, who coach the sports teams at Lanett Junior High, came by to talk to the seniors about how much they enjoy working with youngsters and urging them to be the best people they can be.

Staples is originally from Five Points. He graduated from Five Points High in 1987. He was in the U.S. Army for a number of years and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He now works with cadets in the Lanett High JROTC program. Zeigler is originally from Troup County and has coached sports for close to 25 years. He’s been with the LJHS program for the past nine years. “I enjoy what I do,” he said. “I work with a really good staff, and our teams are playing well.”

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Staples said that he likes to work with people to get them in good physical shape. “I really enjoy coaching and working with young people,” he said.

The seniors showed that they still have a lot of school spirit by taking part in a cheerleader contest. Henry Osborne, Corinthian Woody, Betty Parker and Ann Crowder led everyone in some “Yea, senior center!” cheers.

Judges Agnes Billingslea, Wylene Carr, Renae Abner and Gary Wright said they were all winners but named Osborne the cheerleader champion. He’s 93 and a former mayor of Lanett and Chambers County commissioner. He’s proud of the fact he taught at Lanett High for 26 years. He loves his community and its people and loves to say good things about Lanett and Chambers County.