By Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
Last week, Millbrook Middle School hosted their annual Fritters and Father Figures event in the school cafeteria. Over 150 students attended with their fathers and father figures. This year, Coach Charlie Goodyear, an Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance at Huntingdon College, was the guest speaker. Letitia Ruffin-Johnson, Assistant Principal for 5th and 6th grade, was in charge of putting this event together for the school. All guests enjoyed fritters, and donuts provided by Kingdom Dough of Millbrook. Coffee was provided by Sweet Hart Coffee Co., in Millbrook. Door prizes were given out at the end. Some of these amazing prizes were graciously donated by the Floyd family of Main Street Vintage Market, a swag bucket donated by Kyle Jenkins owner The Worx Auto Detail, a hat from the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, and other wonderful prizes.
Ruffin-Johnson first heard of Coach Goodyear on Youth Day at Goodship Missionary Baptist Church and said he was extremely inspirational.
“I knew he would be perfect for the Fritters and Father Figures event, and he graciously accepted,” said Ruffin-Johnson.
Goodyear brought four of his players from Huntingdon College to the event, including Timothy McReynolds, Nicholas Brashear, Blake Palmer, and Gus Johnson. They each spoke before Coach Goodyear and were relatable to the boys in grades fifth through eighth grade. Each of the young men spoke about the men who were instrumental in their own lives.
During Goodyear’s speech, he quoted from the Bible, Proverbs 16:3, “Commit Your Work to the Lord, and He Will Establish Your Plans.”
He spoke about his 5th grade coach, who was instrumental in getting him involved in football. He also asked the boys in the audience about what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some of the students wanted to be NFL players, NBA players, MLB players, lawyers and other professions. He said to the students, “Young men, if you don’t have a dream, get one. Fathers and father figures, plant a seed.”
“Thank you, Millbrook community, for taking the time out of your morning to join us for Fritters and Father Figures,” said Ruffin-Johnson.
She continued, “We enjoyed Charlie Goodyear and his players from Huntingdon College. They were amazing! We want to also thank Sweet Hart Coffee for providing the coffee and Kingdom Dough for supplying the delicious fritters and doughnuts.
Coach Goodyear talked to EAN about his opportunity to speak to the young men and their fathers and father figures at the school.
“Having the opportunity to speak to all of the men from the Millbrook community was an honor,” said Goodyear.
He continued, “We were excited to be able to encourage the young men that are the future of our community, and our world. Strong men, raising strong men, is one of the only ways that our world will be what it can, and should be.”
MMS next school event is coming soon called “Divas and Donuts.” This will be focused on mothers, and mother figures with their young daughters. A date has not been set yet, so please check the Millbrook Middle School’s Facebook page for updates at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1S7vtmyQAw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
