DisciplineBuilds 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. He acquired his musical ability from bothhis father and his mother. Hisfather majoredin musiceducationat the Universityof Maryland, plays thetrumpet, and is currentlytheir church musicpastor. Hismother is avoice teacher.

Johnny views these talentsasa form of discipline after which hehasbeen ableto patternotherareas of his life. "Mamma making me play the pianowasthe worstdisciplineI could everimagine, butlearning to sit down and do something I didn'twant todo has greatly influenced other disciplines in my life,"he said.

Track is alsoavery important partof Johnny's life and hasbeen partofthePrettyman family for years. Johnny's father isa track coach and ACC (Atlantic CoastConference) recordholder in track Johnnyand his brotherBobby bothruntrackat Liberty

Johnny has experienced many exciting moments throughouthis fouryearson the LU team,one ofwhich cameat his favorite meetof the year-the Penn Relays. This meetincludes thousandsof competitors andtens of thousandsof spectators

"It's incredible,"Johnny said. "There is no other college meetthat cantouchit as far as excitement. It's very intense."

During this meet Johnny's mile relay team seta schoolrecord They were thenplaced as analternate forthefinals butdid notgetto run

"Althoughwe didn't attain avictory, we wereglad toattainthegoalofsettinga new schoolrecord,"he said.

According toJohnny,much of the team's success goes to CoachBrantTolsma "Heis a veryGodlyman, and I respect that a lot," he said. "I'm also very impressed withhis personality.Iadmirehis ability to dealwiththeathleteshonestly,yetunoffensively. When you want his opinion, he is very honestandstraightforward."

Christian soloistSteveGreenhas beenanothergreat influenceonJohnny. "You cantell that helives what he sings and that God isworking through him - it completelyhumbled me," hesaid. "I've always liked his voiceandhis songs,but meetinghimandseeing his concertleft alastingimpressionin my life."

Johnny's father and mother, however, have made the largest impact on hislife. "My father lovesthe Lord,"hesaid. "He is sohumble, approachable, and hecares aboutpeople.He neverwantsto do anybody wrong Icould neveraskfor a better example to grow upunder."

Johnny hasalsodeveloped a growing appreciation for his motherwhilebeingawayat college. "Therehave been timeswhen I'vetaken herforgranted,"hesaid. "By taking child psychology this year,I've realized how much my mom has donefor me. Sheis so special and important-just whatIalwaysneeded when I was growingup."

Johnny was born in Chattanooga,Tenn.,but has livedin Macon,Ga since the age of three He is also the oldest of five children, fourboysand one girl

Although the growing-up years were somewhat rough, hisfamily hasbecome very close. "Havingto clean up after them was apain, butI lovemy brothers and sister," he said "I've been rooming with my brother Bobby for twoyears We really get along well now."

Johnny is a churchministries major, with concentrationsinmusic and youth. After receiving amaster's degree in youthcounseling,Johnnyplans to workwith youngpeople "I havea growingburdenfor the youth," he said. "I feel that is most likelythedirectionGod is leading."

Meanwhile, Johnny said the Lord ispreparing his life. "God is dailyteachingme humility and teaching me to cast all my cares onhim."