Newspaper Page Text
The ADVANCE, December 6,2023/Page 4B
5tje Aiiuancg
Photo by Mike Branch
(Lto R, Front): Shannon Humphrey (father), Emma Humphrey; (Back):Coach Mahoga
ny Johnson, Head Coach Ben Beck, Coach Brent Korn, and Coach Joe Bush,
Humphrey Heading To ABAC
By Mike Branch
Sports Editor
sports 7 advance@gmail. com
At Vidalia High School
on Tuesday of last week,
Emma Humphrey, a star hit
ter for the Indians, signed
her letter of intent to play
softball for Abraham Bald
win Agricultural College
(ABAC)
Humphrey has been
part of a great run at VHS as
they made it to the Final 4
and went 23-9 in her senior
season. Overall, the Indians
were 104-35 over Hum
phrey's four years, were
three-time Region Champi
ons and three-time Final 4
participants. They also were
the State Runner-up in
2021.
Humphrey was a force
at the plate for the Indians.
In her senior year, she had an
average of .385 with 12
home runs and 46 RBI's.
The 12 home runs tied the
single season record and the
RBI's is #3 on the all time list
at VHS. She was named the
3AA Player of the Year and
was named to the GACA
All-State Team.
Over her career, she set
the freshman home run and
RBI records, was a four time
All-Region selection, two
time GACA All-State selec
tion, had a .364 career aver
age, is third all time in dou
bles with 32, second all time
in hits with 142, and second
all time in RBI's with 115,
and tied for first in home
runs with 21.
Humphrey said, “Ever
since I was four years old,
and started playing softball I
told my dad that this is what
I wanted to do with my life.
It means the world to me to
be signing my letter of intent
and play college softball. I
am thankful for all the sup
port from my teammates,
coaches, and the commu
nity. I really like the campus
at ABAC and the players
and coaches, they made me
feel at home.”
VHS Head Coach Ben
Beck stated, “This is a big
day for Emma, and we are
super proud of her and ev
erything that she has accom
plished. This a credit for all
the hard work she has put in
and all the things she has
done for our program. She
left her mark at Vidalia High
School.”
ABAC Coach Mike
Reed added, “We are getting
a good hitter with Emma
with all the offensive stats
that she has accumulated
over the last four years, but
what I really like about her is
her character on and off the
field. I think she will fit right
into our culture.”
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Photo by Mike Branch
RTCA's Hayden Kight tries to find an open man down-
field in fhe State Championship Game.
RTCA
continued from page IB
2:55 left in the third quarter.
Hayden Meeks added the
extra point to tie the game at
7-7.
Flint River answered
with a 36-yard touchdown
pass with 25 seconds left on
the clock in the third quar
ter. The extra point was
good to put the Wildcats on
top 14-7.
Elijah Baker had a nice
return on the ensuing kick
off out to the 45-yard line to
set up good field position.
Hill picked up two good
runs to push the Crusaders
all the way to the 23-yard
line of Flint River. RTCA
was at the 15-yard line fac
ing a third down with just
over nine minutes left to
play, and they got a push by
Jones all the way to the 10
for a first-and-goal. Hill took
it down to the 4-yard line,
but Flint River stopped
them there and RTCA
turned it over on downs at
the 5-yard line with just over
six minutes left to play in the
game.
RTCA got a big play
from Baker, who came up
with an interception at the
28-yard line with four min
utes left to play. Runs by Hill
and Powell got RTCA to the
14-yard line, and then Pow
ell took it to the 4-yard line
with 1:20 left to play, setting
up a first-and-goal. Another
red zone penalty was called
that moved them back to
the 9, then a bad snap
pushed RTCA all the way
out to the 16-yard line with
just 32 seconds left to play.
RTCA made it back to the
5-yard line, but the Crusad
ers were stopped there,
turning the ball over on
downs with just 20 seconds
to play.
Flint River took a knee
to run out the rest of the
clock and secure the win
and the State Champion
ship, defeating RTCA 14-7.
RTCA finished the year
with a record of 7-5 and as
the State Runner-up for the
second year in a row. The
Crusaders will be losing 10
seniors off of this year's
team, and will be looking to
rebuild next season to try to
get back to the playoffs.
NOTICE
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for the Heart
of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission (HOGARC) Third Member Council Seat.
Membership with the HOGARC is automatic for governments within the region, while
an appointed Council is responsible for establishing HOGARC’s policy and directive as
provided or authorized by law. Council membership for the HOGARC is comprised of
not less than two nor more than five representatives from each member county served by
the HOGARC, including at least one elected or appointed municipal government official
from each member county and at least one elected or appointed county government of
ficial from each member county.
The objectives of the HOGARC are to develop, promote, and assist in establishing coordi
nated and comprehensive planning in Georgia; to provide local governments on both an
individual and regional basis with professional technical assistance to improve local gov
ernment service programs; to provide professional technical assistance with the develop
ment, collection, compilation, and maintenance of a local information base and network;
to manage those nonprofit corporations created by the HOGARC in accordance with
Georgia law for the operation of revolving loan programs and to function as a certified
development company; and to function as the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA),
responsible for services, advocating on behalf of older persons in need, and contracting
with a network of agencies to provide direct services to the elderly in the Heart of Georgia
region.
Council meetings are the 4th Thursday of each Month EXCEPT for July, August and De
cember in Mount Vernon at the Senior Center at 7:00 p.m. Please note that November’s
Meeting is the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Deadline for applications is December 29, 2023. Interested applicants can obtain an ap
plication online at www.montcoga.gov or at the Montgomery County Board of Commis
sioners’ Office. Applications should be mailed or dropped off to:
Brandon L. Braddy, County Manager
Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
P.O. Box 295
310 West Broad Street
Mount Vernon, GA 30445
912-583-2363
Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Unheard Struggle: The Impact of Hearing
Loss on Interpersonal Relationships,
Especially During the Holidays
The Invisible Barrier to Clear Communication
In the hustle and bus
tle of the holiday season,
amidst the joyous laughter
and heartfelt conversa
tions, an often-overlooked
aspect of our relationships
takes center stage: the
ability to hear and under
stand speech. Speech is
the heart of what makes us
human. Sharing thoughts,
ideas, life experiences
and a caring thought or
feeling is a uniquely hu
man ability. However,
for those grappling with
hearing loss, particularly
the subtle and pervasive
presbycusis, the festive
gatherings can be a silent
struggle that affects the
quality of relationships.
The Unseen Chal
lenge of Presbycusis
Presbycusis, or age-
related hearing loss, is a
common condition that
creeps into the lives of
many as they age. Unlike a
sudden injury or a notice
able ailment, presbycusis
is painless and often invis
ible to the person experi
encing it. The irony lies in
the fact that most individ
uals with presbycusis are
blissfully unaware of their
hearing deficit and many
times blame others for
“marbles in your mouth”
or not speaking clearly.
One of the peculiar
aspects of presbycusis is
that it tends to affect high-
frequency sounds more
than low-frequencies.
While individuals may
still hear sounds like "e,"
"o," "m," and "1" with rela
tive ease, the subtleties of
speech encoded in high-
frequency sounds, such as
"s," "f," "t," and "k," are lost.
This creates a distinct defi
cit in the clarity of speech,
leaving the affected indi
vidual with the impres
sion of mumbled speech
when it actually was spo
ken clearly.
The Clarity Conun
drum
Imagine listening
to a familiar tune, but
with certain instruments
muffled or missing. This
is akin to the experience
of individuals with pres
bycusis. While they may
hear the general melody
of conversation, the rich
ness and nuance encoded
in the high-frequency
sounds are lost, making
speech sound akin to an
unclear murmur.
This lack of clarity
poses a significant chal
lenge in social settings,
particularly during the
holidays when gather
ings are brimming with
meaningful conversations.
Family members, friends,
and loved ones may find
themselves unknowingly
altering their communica
tion styles to accommo
date the hearing-impaired
individual. However, the
person with hearing loss
may remain oblivious to
the extent of their strug
gle, as the deficit is not in
volume but in the intricate
details of speech.
The Silent Impact on
Relationships
The consequences
of unaddressed hearing
loss are profound, espe
cially in the context of
interpersonal relation
ships. Misunderstandings,
frustration, and isolation
can become unwelcome
guests at the holiday table.
Loved ones may unknow
ingly feel unheard or un
important, contributing
to strained relationships
and diminished festive
cheer.
As we celebrate this
holiday season, it's crucial
to recognize the impor
tance of clear commu
nication and the impact
of hearing loss on our
connections with others.
Encouraging regular hear
ing check-ups, fostering
awareness about presby
cusis, and embracing in
clusive communication
Dr. Gabriel Pitt
Audiologist
practices can help bridge
the gap between the heard
and the unheard, ensuring
that the festive season is
truly joyous for everyone.
After all, the holidays are a
time for shared moments,
and every word deserves
to be heard and under
stood.
For more help with
your hearing contact Dr.
Gabe at 912-333-2222
or email gpitt(a)yourearz.
com