Photo by Austin Thompson
Poplar Grove eighth grader Carter Potts received the Goodall Homes Student of the Month award last week. With him are (from left) Laura Lavery, teacher, Amy Potts, mother, Carter, Rachael Overall, Marketing Manager for Goodall Homes, and father Jason Potts.
To say eighth grader Carter Potts is a young man of many talents is an understatement. However, his teacher Laura Lavery tried to use two words to describe him: leader and maturity.
“Leadership and maturity are the first two attributes that come to mind when I think about describing Carter,” said Lavery. “These attributes have been demonstrated in my classroom with myself and his peers in both social and academic settings. He is very mature for his age and serves as a leader in my classroom. He is very cognitive of social interactions and how he carries himself.”
Among several honors he has received, Carter was given the U.S. President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Outstanding Academic Excellence, and All A’s Fifth through Eighth Grade. In addition, he participates in travel soccer, the Freedom Middle football team and basketball teams, Beta Club, Math Olympiad, Williamson County Honors Orchestra (where he plays first Choir bass), tennis team, golf team, youth programs at his church, Pride Time at his school and FCA.
When asked how he manages to do all this, the humble 14-year-old mentioned he prioritizes his life with God first, family second and school and activities third.
“I just try to stay focused on those three things and this helps me balance school and my activities.”
While Carter has many activities he is involved with, his dad, Jason Potts, seemed to be the most proud of his son participating in the Poplar Grove Middle School Orchestra. The Poplar Grove Middle School Orchestra most recently played in the TMEA State Concert Festival, which is only for programs having attained the highest level of achievement.
“This was a great honor to play at this event and to be recognized,” Jason Potts said. “I am so proud of him and this orchestra and they deserve this recognition.”
Carter’s mother, Amy Potts, talked about being a good role model for his brother and sister.
“He is a well-rounded, humble and genuine young man, and his brother and sister look up to him, and he has the best smile!”
She also described Carter as a good team player who is responsible and mature beyond his years.
“He demonstrates strong leadership skills, is always fair and supportive of others even during tough situations,” she said.
Carter is a huge math fan and emphasizes that it’s his favorite subject. He has plans to get into the medical field one day and looks forward to moving on to high school next year where he will attend Centennial.
Rachael Overall, marketing director of Goodall Homes, the sponsor of the award, is becoming a regular at Poplar Grove Middle School. Overall took time to recognize the other winners from Poplar Grove over the past two school years.
“I love this school and appreciate Ms. Lavery for her nominations,” said Overall. “This school has great kids that are successful in school and in the community, the kind of great kids Goodall likes to recognize.”
