Spring Valley senior Mason Cloy
Contributed by Spring Valley and Dreher High Schools via the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have selected Mason Cloy, a senior tight-end/offensive lineman at Spring Valley High School, and Richard Hahn, a senior offensive lineman at Dreher High School as 2006 Carolina Panthers Community Captains. The Carolina Panthers Community Captain program recognizes high school student-athletes in North and South Carolina who excel in the classroom, in the community, and on the football field. The program is designed to recognize outstanding young leaders and to encourage their future development as role models while they continue their personal growth in college and in their professional careers.
Cloy, who comes from a military family, has maintained a solid grade point average throughout his high school career even while acting as the man of the household during a year-long absence of his father, who was sent to Iraq to train the Iraqi Army. “There is one misconception about leaders, many leaders think that they should be served; but they are the ones who serve others, not the ones who are to be served,” said Mason Cloy. While Colonel Cloy was overseas, Mason was a pillar of strength to families of deployed soldiers in a Family Support Group representing the 5th Brigade 87th Division. He created newsletters, wrote emails and sent packages to soldiers in Iraq as well. This Community Captain also assisted in all aspects of coordinating and executing the 5th Brigade 87th Division’s Welcome Home Ceremony, celebrating their return from Iraq. “In regards to character, Mason is as good as they come,” commented Coach Jimmy Noonan.
Dreher senior Richard Hahn
Cloy participates in Spring Valley High School’s Big Brother literacy program where he reads to preschool children in his school’s district. Through his school, he is also involved with the Booster Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Winter Days Toys for Tots program. An example to all student-athletes, Cloy also volunteers at his church. “He has helped on fundraisers, workdays to improve our church campus, moving households goods with the Deacons for people needing assistance, helps set and clean-up for a wide range of church functions,” said Pastor Eric R. Dye.
Cloy, a Spring Valley football team captain, commented, “I feel like my positive actions that I display on a daily basis have small ripple effects on the community through each individual that I help.” Cloy currently maintains a 3.8 grade point average and has been recruited by most major Division I schools on the East Coast. After visiting and receiving scholarship offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Miami, and Tennessee, Mason has committed to Clemson University where he will play center for the Tigers.
Dreher Blue Devil Richard Hahn possesses a 5.0 grade-point average, is very involved in his community, and has received recruitment interest as a football student-athlete from the United States Naval Academy, Furman, Harvard, Newberry, Presbyterian, Princeton, Washington & Lee, William & Mary, Wofford, and Yale.
It should come as no surprise that Hahn is a leader in the Richland County community. He has attended numerous leadership conferences and schools, such as the JROTC Summer Leadership School, United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar, National Junior Leadership Conference, and Palmetto Boys State. A member of Dreher High School’s JROTC program, Hahn has received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Achievement and Leadership Award.
Hahn has distinguished himself in the classroom as well. He is a member of the National Honor Society and qualifier for a National Merit Scholarship. He has studied abroad in Austria, Czech Republic, Greece, Germany and Italy. Hahn serves as president of the Young Republicans and participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Richland County School District One Superintendent’s Advisory Council in addition to several other clubs and organizations.
An Eagle Scout, Hahn has completed many projects that have benefited his community. Examples of his efforts range from working with SisterCare of Columbia program to tutoring young students and counseling at a church music camp and youth ministry.
“I understand the benefits of responsible citizenship and the time needed to coordinate community-wide efforts,” Hahn said. “I realize that other humans are the world’s greatest asset and should be treated and honored as such.”
Beginning with week one and ending with week 10 of the Carolina Panthers regular season schedule, the team selected ten elite high school student-athletes as Community Captains. Other Carolina Panthers Community Captain Class of 2006 recipients are Kerry Neal of Bunn High School (Bunn, N.C.), Cameron Ford of T.L. Hanna High School (Anderson, S.C.), Reid Phillips of Myers Park High School (Charlotte, N.C.), Gray Gardner of Camden High School (Camden, S.C.), Samuel “Quinn” Barham of Hillside High School (Durham, N.C.), Brandon Yeargan of Charlotte Christian Schools (Charlotte, N.C.) Julius Graves, Jr. of Reidsville High School (Reidsville, N.C.), and LJ Mobley, Jr. of Union Comprehensive High School (Union, S.C.).
The 2006 Carolina Panthers Community Captain Class will be recognized during a special on-field ceremony at the Panthers’ final regular season home game versus the Pittsburg Steelers on December 17.
Winners will receive an authentic Community Captain jersey and will have the opportunity to participate in select Panthers community outreach events with current Panthers players. Recipients are also featured on the Carolina Panthers Community Captain Horse Trailer on www.panthers.com.
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