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Strom Thurmond Baseball Program Honors Student Authors on 'Hero Night'

Johnston, SC - As many great pitches as have been thrown in the Rebel Zone this season (and there have been many), few could match those tossed on April 27, 2023, by student authors prior to the Rebels' varsity baseball game with rival Saluda.
 
On "Hero Night" at the ballpark, the Rebels honored fifth-grader Truman Massey (W.E. Parker Elementary), fifth-grader Zariah Hillary (Merriwether Elementary), second-grader Kyle Holmes (Johnston Elementary), and third-grader Olivia Schwartz (Douglas Elementary) for their stories about their heroes.
 
Truman Massey wrote about his hero, longtime W.E. Parker Elementary custodian Jerry Campbell, who passed away last year. "Every day, when I would walk into the lunchroom, I would see his warm smile. No matter the day, seeing him would make me joyful," Truman wrote of Mr. Campbell.
 
Zariah Hillary, who was unable to attend that evening, wrote about her hero, her mother Porshia. Zariah wrote, "My hero is my mom because every day my mom pushes me to do better in life, learn new things and to get better at it."
 
Meanwhile, Kyle Holmes tossed his game-opening first pitch to the hero he wrote about, Strom Thurmond High School varsity football head coach, Andrew Webb. Kyle wrote of Webb, "My hero is the football coach at Strom Thurmond. I want to be like him when I grow up."
 
Olivia Schwartz wrote her "hero" story about someone very close to her, her dad, Timothy Schwartz. Olivia wrote about her dad's military service, his kindness, and his willingness to always be helpful, adding that he is "beyond worthy" of being her hero.
 
Congratulations to these outstanding students and all students who participated. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
 
Thank you also to all who have served as heroes for these terrific young people. Keep up the great work!
ECSD Public Information