By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
Nobody is ever prepared for a natural disaster. As Hurricane Helene ravaged the southeast and inundated the Carolinas with winds and catastrophic flood waters, lives and livelihoods across the region were altered and changed forever.
Sometimes, these disasters beyond our control give people a new perspective on life and what is truly important, and they make us appreciate the things we take for granted. The same is true for the athletes and coaches of Woodruff High School, who saw athletics grind to a halt for two weeks. Their perspectives are both wise and self-reflecting as they look back on how Hurricane Helene affected them.
As the roads were cleared, pieces of lives picked up, and the lights came back on. For these leaders and students, what was truly important was illuminated by a renewed appreciation for their lives.
Here are some of their thoughts, in their own words, as they process how their lives were changed when Mother Nature hit its devastating blow.
Brett Sloan- Head Football Coach
“My initial takeaway is that God is sovereign, and he is in control. Sometimes, we feel like we can manage our life on our own. The entire event was a great reminder that, ultimately, none of us are in control. Secondly, I think you learn to appreciate the simple things. You realize that game preparation are not burdens. They are actually privileges. They are blessings that we take for granted. In closing, I was amazed at how our community rallied together and supported one another. It was uplifting to see neighbors helping each other to clean yards and clear trees from the roadways. To see our teachers and administrators serving food was amazing. God was good to our community.”
Jensyn Turner- Junior Volleyball Player
“Hurricane Helene was a complete shock to Woodruff. Power was taken away, food, air conditioning, and for some, simply being able to leave their home was taken away. All of this I absolutely took for granted, but most importantly I took for granted how strong and loving a community I have. Instead of sitting at home, the community rose for their neighbors to help move trees, or serve food. The Lord used this hurricane to show us that power, and air conditioning are not a necessity, but a strong community is.”
Bryan McConnell- Head Boys Basketball Coach
“Helene was definitely eye-opening for so many. I know that personally I did not expect to see the damage that we got. I still remember (Hurricane) Hugo but this was more. I prayed a lot for people with little ones in diapers and the elderly, I could not imagine what young families felt like going a week without power and hard- to-get to diapers, formula, etc.
As the Word says, when there is a storm you still must trust God and that is what we did. He brought us through it.
The positive of Helene was forcing us all to stop and slow down and remember what the most important things in life are. For my family we played lots of games and had time together. We also were helped by friends and community and we also helped friends and community. Watching how the Woodruff community and churches and neighbors alike all chipped in and worked together was a blessing to witness and just another reminder why I love this area and the Woodruff community!”
T.J. Morris- Senior Football Quarterback
“The Hurricane has impacted the season in a way that truly I never thought would happen. I never would have thought that a hurricane would keep me out of school for two weeks and ultimately keep me from playing a football game for a month.”
Tonja Westmoreland- Head Volleyball Coach
“Hurricane Helene took us by surprise. We knew there was a storm coming but none of us anticipated the mass of destruction that would happen. We couldn’t get phone signal to check on our families or our athletes. As a coach, I think of my team as another family, so this made me worry about them just as I did for my own family. The athletes, Coach (Samantha) Pearson, the JV head coach, and I kept trying to text each other until we could get service. Once we heard from each athlete, we felt a big relief that everyone was safe. No one had power, and some did not have water because they were on well water. They all were able to stay with someone that had a generator. I didn’t know how terrible North Carolina was hit for several days because our road was blocked by fallen trees, and I couldn’t get the news. Once we heard of the devastation, our hearts broke for them. Once our school is back on a regular schedule and our volleyball matches start-up, we are going to have a sock drive to collect socks for NC. Winter is coming, and they will need all types of warm clothing. They are asking for everything to be new because of allergies. We want to help in some way, and everyone needs socks in the winter.”
Sadie Burnette- Senior Girls Basketball Player
“The hurricane was very eye-opening to me and probably many. It showed me to be grateful for the small things. Even the things you regularly take for granted. You don’t realize what you have until you don’t have it. Don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself and what you do or don’t have. There are a ton of people who have it worse. God often uses the storms of life to draw us closer to him!”
Hurricane Helene is a storm nobody will ever forget. Nor will they forget the lessons it taught them. Those who were lost in the storm, and those who lost everything they owned, will forever be a reminder to cherish what we have and take nothing for granted.
Author: Tracy Sanders
