For anyone who has seen the movie, I have no doubt you can still picture the face of William Wallace, covered in blue war paint, bellowing out, “FREEDOM”!!! This is also how I picture most high school students exiting the hallways on the last day of school. As we look back on another school year, NG3 has had a banner year, adding new staff, leading more students in character development programs and service projects than any other year, and most importantly, discipling more student athletes, both male and female, than ever before.
Right: NG3 Director, Natalie King (left) with Brookwood graduating senior, Abby Durnait.
At Brookwood High School, NG3 has two staff members, Natalie King and Lawson Hale, leading the multi-front efforts on campus. Natalie is the newest addition to NG3, but she has wasted little time connecting with the students and making her presence felt in the lives of the female student athletes at BHS. This Spring semester, Natalie worked directly with the women’s lacrosse team and formed a bond with out-bound senior, Abby Durniat, among others. Abby’s talents on the lacrosse field enabled her to sign a scholarship to continue playing collegiately at Young Harris. Recently, Abby was on a visit to Young Harris’ campus and happened to be sitting across from a male student from Gwinnett County who also signed to play lacrosse. As they continued talking over lunch, the subject turned to NG3. Both student athletes were members of NG3 huddle groups and were elated to discover another shared commonality of which they shared. In describing her personal experience with NG3, Abby said, “I have grown so much. I feel like I have my spiritual life in a good place so I can start college strong. I feel like I have a good foundation from NG3 that I can take with me.”
Left: Rising Brookwood senior, Bailey Hopkins (left) with NG3 Director, Lawson Hale.
Obviously, NG3 wants to prepare our students for life after high school, but it is also important to show our young people there are opportunities to make a difference TODAY. Bailey Hopkins is a baseball player for Brookwood and was a member of Lawson Hale’s NG3 huddle group. Bailey is a gifted catcher, known for his consistency both on and off the diamond. Bailey embodies the NG3 mantra of “do what you say, serve others, and bring change.” So how does NG3 affect someone who already has so much figured out? “NG3 has inspired me to make a positive impact upon my community” Bailey said. “This organization has taught me how much an impact a group of servant leaders can truly have. Through my huddle group, I have learned life lessons that will impact me in the future.”
Though NG3 isn’t rallying our countrymen against the cruelties of a maniacal king, NG3 is providing the leadership needed for a brighter tomorrow, and like William Wallace, NG3 can’t do it alone! If you would like to become a volunteer huddle leader, lead character lessons for a team, get involved with community service projects, become a financial supporter, or simply find out more on how NG3 is making a difference, please visit ng3.org. Together….we can Be the difference! NG3 PO Box 1429 Snellville, GA 30078 www.ng3.org
NG3
P.O. Box 1429
Snellville, GA 30078
www.ng3.org
NG3 stands for Next Generation: Character Community Change. Their goal is to develop men and women of character to create a positive change in our communities. NG3 works directly with student athletes in high schools, teaching and practicing the importance of strong core values like responsibility, humility, integrity and honesty. The staff of NG3 works along side the coaches providing a constant presence of reliability and service.
