- April 19, 2024
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I didn't really know what to expect when I first arrived in Palm Coast.
I'm from Miami, and I'm a graduate from the University of Florida, so I'm completely used to "the rat race."
As a Miamian, I grew used to being surrounded by people who don't care — or really only care about themselves, to be more accurate. And as a sports writer at The Independent Florida Alligator, the student newspaper at UF, I grew used to athletes who thought they were above everything.
And that's not to say I didn't come across any amazing people in my time in each place. That's completely untrue and unfair to those individuals.
But as I was saying, I've been in Palm Coast for a little over a week, and I've already come to grasp what living in a community is truly like.
On Thursday, July 20, I had the opportunity to interview 15-year-old pro surfer and Miss Junior Flagler County Hannah Blevins, and on Saturday, July 22, I was fortunate enough to photograph an NFL Play 60 event at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
In each instance, I was taken aback.
In Hannah, I met someone whose schedule — due to extensive travel — is so convoluted, I couldn't figure out how in God's green earth she finds any time to do anything for others.
But she does.
And at the Play 60 event, not only did I see respected pro athletes giving back to the community, I saw athletes from crosstown rivals FPC and Matanzas High School celebrating with the community's children over the completion of basic training drills as if they'd scored a game-winning touchdown.
It's a small sample size, yes. And of course, there most certainly are faults in any community. But so far, I'm impressed.
