Selah Yearbook 1991-92

Discipline Builds Strong Character

By Ruth Gutierrez & Kim Davis Senior Johnny Prettyman is a man of many talents.

Singing and playing the piano are big parts of Johnny's life. H e acquired his musical ability from both his father and his mother. His father majored in music education at the University of Maryland, plays the trumpet, and is currently their church music pastor. His mother is a voice teacher.

Johnny views these talents as a form of discipline after which he has been able to pattern other areas of his life. " M a m m a making m e play the piano was the worst discipline I could ever imagine, but learning to sit d o w n and do something I didn't want to do has greatly influenced other disciplines in m y life," he said.

Track is also a very important part of Johnny's life and has been part of the Prettyman family for years.

Johnny's father is a track coach and A C C (Atlantic Coast Conference) record holder in track. Johnny and his brother Bobby both run track at Liberty.

Johnny has experienced many exciting moments throughout his four years on the L U team, one of which Photo By Tim Kania came at his favorite meet of the year - the Penn Relays.

This meet includes thousands of competitors and tens wrong. I could never ask for a better example to grow up under." of thousands of spectators.

Johnny has also developed a growing appreciation "It's incredible," Johnny said. "There is no other for his mother while being away at college. "There have college meet that can touch it as far as excitement. It's been times when I've taken her for granted," he said. very intense."

"By taking child psychology this year, I've realized During this meet Johnny's mile relay team set a how much m y m o m has done for me. She is so special school record. They were then placed as an alternate and important - just what I always needed when I was for the finals but did not get to run.

"Although w e didn't attain a victory, w e were glad growing up."

Johnny was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., but has to attain the goal of setting a new school record," he lived in Macon, Ga. since the age of three. H e is also the said. oldest of five children, four boys and one girl.

According to Johnny, much of the team's success Although the growing-up years were somewhat goes to Coach Brant Tolsma. "He is a very Godly man, rough, his family has become very close. "Having to and I respect that a lot," he said. "I'm also very clean up after them was a pain, but I love m y brothers impressed with his personality. I admire his ability to and sister," he said.

"I've been rooming with m y deal with the athletes honestly, yet unoffensively. W h e n you want his opinion, he is very honest and straight- brother Bobby for two years. W e really get along well now." forward."

Johnny is a church ministries major, with concentraChristian soloist Steve Green has been another great tions in music and youth. After receiving a master's influence on Johnny. "You can tell that he lives what degree in youth counseling, Johnny plans to work with he sings and that God is working through him - it young people.

"I have a growing burden for the youth," completely humbled me," he said. "I've always liked he said.

"I feel that is most likely the direction God is his voice and his songs, but meeting him and seeing his leading." concert left a lasting impression in m y life."

Meanwhile, Johnny said the Lord is preparing his Johnny's father and mother, however, have made the largest impact on his life. "My father loves the life. "God is daily teaching m e humility and teaching Lord," he said. "He is so humble, approachable, and m e to cast all m y cares on him." he cares about people. H e never wants to do anybody