Fernadale has turned into a big argument place after a comment made by a local businessman, Zach Prater. Some people talked about postponing the Christmas parade because they would like to show their support for Robinson High School’s football team while they played in a playoff game. For most families here, this was a big thing, so the idea felt natural. Even in my school, if our team reached a big match, everyone would be asking the teachers for early leave just to go watch.
But all turned when a woman named Lizz Ann shared that Zach reacted in a really rude way. She said he gave an ugly look when the topic came up and hinted that the football players were going to be future criminals. I was honestly shocked when I first read about this. I have seen many student-athletes, and they work really hard. An adult using such a heavy label on these kids who just want to play and make their school proud seems so strange.
Zach owns Prater Service Company. People there depend on him for their heating and cooling repairs. He is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and has been handling every service call himself since April 10, 2000. His business installs and fixes HVAC systems, so everyone in the community knows him.
When the word got out, responses just exploded. Some found it hurtful. Some said it sounded racist. Robinson High teachers felt it was sad that someone would speak in that manner about their students. Lizz Ann wrote that she couldn’t take seeing adults trash-talk children who had worked hard in order to represent the school. Honestly, I can relate. There was a time when a couple of seniors at my school were totally smeared, and though much younger, I felt it was wrong because they were only struggling to do their best.
This was a simple plan to help the football team, but now turned into a discussion on respect and how adults ought to treat a young player. It’s something like the minor-minor issues that happen on the net and then become the greatest fight just like that, and everyone forgets what the point was at first.
Up to this time, Zach has not made any statement at all. No reply. No apology by anyone. Thus, the community is stuck trying to deal with both the drama created by his comment as well as the continued hope for the playoff match.
At the end of the day, students should not have to go through this. They trained, they practiced, and finally, they made it to the playoffs. They need support, not insults. Well, hopefully, things will calm down, and the whole crowd will still cheer on the team. You may also be interested in: Remembering Brentsville District High School Lacrosse Player Jack Steinbrunner
