Another Nature Boy?
Sometimes a person comes along that has potential greatness written all over them. That something special that Muhammed Ali, Elvis Presley, Ric Flair, and a select handful of others possessed. That something that lets you know that youre in the presence of someone who literally transcends whatever their field of endeavor happens to be. Folks, these type people seldom come along, and, if you read their biographies, youll find that most knew years before they hit it big that they would. They just had that sort of air about them. And folks, I believe Ive discovered a young man who possesses that same quality. That hint of greatness waiting to be realized. The young man Im referring to lives in Houston County, and his name is Derek Da Ron Winn.
Derek Da Ron Winn. The name itself has a rock star like quality to it, doesnt it? Dereks a young man whos just graduated from Houston County High School. A quick look at the senior quote in his yearbook says it all:
175 pounds, pure athlete. SHHHHHHH!! Do you hear it? Greatness!
Doesnt that tell yall something right there? Derek seems to be the kind of guy who knows hes headed for the big time, and also knows that he has the goods to handle it. And then some.
At this point, some of yall may be wondering why Im so sure about Dereks future? Well, Ill tell you. One of the things the greats possess is the ability to take an everyday event and turn it into something magical. Derek has that ability. And heres how I know he does.
Remember I stated earlier that Derek has just graduated from Houston County High School? Well, to graduate from high school you have to participate in the graduation ceremony. And folks, Derek just didnt participate in this years graduation, he defined it for everyone in attendance. Defined it in front of a packed house. Defined it in a way thatll be remembered for many years to come. And heres what he did...
Any graduation starts with speeches, the principle, the valedictorian and the salutorian all give them. Some schools even involve more people than that. After theyre done the kids all line up to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. And it was at this precise point in the graduation exercise that Derek Da Ron Winn crossed from mortality over into the realm of
legend...
Yall know that Derek had to be at the very back of the line with a last name like Winn. Imagine person after person after person walking across that stage and doing the exact same thing - walk across, smile, shake hands, receive diploma, exit the stage. If the truth be known, probably everyone in attendance was getting just a tad bored as this annual rite of passage took place. But then, it became time for Derek to walk that aisle. And folks, Derek showed the crowd just what he was made of at this point. As his name was called, Derek didnt just stroll across the stage. Nope, what Derek did was step right to the front of the stage, unzip his robe, and reveal that he was wearing an exact replica of the World Heavyweight Championship wrestling belt! An exact copy of the belt that the Nature Boy Ric Flair wore for years. As soon as the crowd realized this it went absolutely crazy! People stood up and cheered, laughter rang out, there was pure mayhem afoot! But folks, Derek wasnt through - he then proceeded to do the Ric Flair strut the rest of the way across the stage! The crowd literally was beside themselves at that point. By the time Derek walked off the stage, even the police guarding the building high-fived him as he strolled by, he had goosed em all up that good.
Now folks, Im not gonna say Derek didnt get into any trouble on account of this episode. The school was none too happy about what hed done, and thats understandable, but Ive been told that Derek has his diploma and is getting on with his life. So Derek, let me just say that my hats off to you. Something inside tells me that in some field, maybe sports, maybe entertainment, or maybe its something that Im not even thinking of, that youre going to make your mark. Youre going to excel, and youre going to end up being something special. I have no doubt. The future is yours, Derek, now go out and make me right...
About the Author
Eds latest book, Rough As A Cob, can be ordered by calling River City Publishing toll-free at: 877-408-7078. Hes also a popular after dinner speaker, and his column runs in a number of Southeastern publications. You can contact him via email at: ed3@ed-williams.com, or through his web site address at: www.ed-williams.com.
Written by: Ed Williams
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