by Justin Morton
Last weekend several of our adults, teens and children attended the Lads 2 Leaders convention at the Opryland Hotel. This weekend is always inspiring. I love watching so many children and young people from all over the Southeast use their talents for the glory God. If your child is not involved with L2L, let me encourage you to consider being a part of this wonderful event next year.
Thirty-five young people from Walter Hill participated in Lads this year. We are so proud of each and every one of these individuals: Josie Cooper, Will Cooper, King Davis, Nova Davis, Zaniyah Davis, Aaron DeMario, Grant DeMario, Isaac DeMario, Olivia Ellis, Colton England, Paxton England, Charlotte Foster, Ian Foster, Ryan Foster, Ellis Harrington, Jansen Harrington, Christian Hutchens, Blake Lancaster, Tyler Lancaster, Braden McNabb, Briley McNabb, Carson McNabb, Savannah McNabb, Kayla Miller, Ella Mitchell, Eli Mitchell, Bennett Morris, Caden Morton, Cameron Morton, Elijah Phillips, Reagon Shambaugh, Reid Shambaugh, Danek Smith, Anna Grace Thomas, and Courtney Wilson.
Each of these young people did an incredible job in every event they participated in, and we couldn’t be any more proud of them! Not only did they represent Walter Hill well, but they gained so much that will help them in the future as they continue to serve the Lord.
Several of our young people did so well that they were either a finalist or placed in some of the events they participated in. Here’s what we have, but if we missed anything, please let us know.
Art: Anna Grace Thomas (1st Place)
Girl’s Songs of Praise: Kayla Miller (2nd Place)
Girl’s Speech: Kayla Miller (1st Place), Olivia Ellis (2nd Place)
Girl’s Debate Teams: Olivia Ellis and Zanyiah Davis (3rd Place)
Girl’s Individual Debate: Kayla Miller (1st Place and highest score)
Boy’s Song Leading: Elijah Phillips (Finalist), Will Cooper (3rd Place)
Boy’s Speech: Caden Morton (1st Place), Blake Lancaster (2nd Place), Will Cooper (3rd Place), Grant DeMario (Finalist)
Boy’s Debate Teams: Grant DeMario and Blake Lancaster (2nd Place), Will Cooper and Carson McNabb (3rd Place)
Boy’s Individual Scores: Will Cooper (1st place individual score), Blake Lancaster (3rd place individual score)
Bible Bowl Teams: Grant DeMario, Isaac DeMario, Caden Morton and Cameron Morton (1st Place in the 9th-10th Grade Division), Aaron DeMario, Ian Foster, Ryan Foster, Christian Hutchens (3rd Place in the 5th– 6th Grade Division), Ellis Harrington, Jansen Harrington and Briley McNabb (Finalists in the 5th-6th Grade Division)
Bible Bowl Individual Test Top 10 Scorers: Grant DeMario (9th Grade), Isaac DeMario (6th Grade), Caden Morton (8th Grade), Cameron Morton (4th Grade)
All of our young people representing Walter Hill did a phenomenal job last weekend at Lads 2 Leaders. Thank you to our shepherds for supporting this great work each year and to all the parents, grandparents, mentors and coaches who helped out. May we continue teaching and training our children so they will be prepared to lead in the Lord’s Church for many years to come.