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Maverick Gardner Keeps Busy with Classes, Sports, and FCA
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Gardner says he thinks about Coach Cooper's talk a lot because it reminds him that success can be a little tricky to recognize in some circumstances. "Coach Cooper told us that you can't really fail, no matter how hard you try," said Gardner. "No matter what happens in your circumstances, you're always a winner in God's eyes."
H
ighland East eighth-grader Maverick Gardner says he's really enjoying his final semester of junior high before moving to high school.
"I really like my classes and my teachers," said Gardner. "They're all really nice and because I enjoy the classes, the works not too hard. It ends up being fun." Gardner, a straight-A student, says his favorite class is math. There's just something about the simplicity of numbers and problem-solving that appeals to him.
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In addition to his passion for excellence in the classroom, Gardner is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Highland East. "We have a meeting every month," said Gardner. "I really enjoy the speakers we have in, like the high school football coach and Coach Cooper, our girl's basketball coach. They help us to focus on God and how to work hard in life."
When it comes to athletics, Gardner says he's passionate about many sports. He participates in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Although he enjoys all those sports, he says his favorite has always been baseball. "I can't really say why, but I've always loved baseball more than any other sport," said Gardner. The four-sport athlete is quick to point out that his parents play a huge role in helping him participate in all the sports that he loves. "My mom is great, taking me to all my practices and supporting me in academics," said Gardner. "My dad coaches me in baseball, and I think I get a lot of my love for the game from him." Gardner says his long-term plans are to excel at baseball and hopefully get a chance to play at the collegiate level. In the meantime, he's just enjoying life in junior high and looking forward to making the move to high school next fall. "I don't think I'd be the person I am if it weren't for my parents and friends at school," said Gardner. "They all push me pretty hard to be good at sports and in my classes."
