Editor`s Note: From now until graduation day next Saturday, Cedar Key News will feature the spotlight articles on the individual members of the Sharks` Senior Class of 2010. The graduates` spotlights will appear in alphabetical order. 
Ryan Alford
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By Jessi Robinson
The name Ryan Peachman Alford should be synonymous with baseball. He lives it, breathes it, and appears to spend every waking moment thinking about baseball. Teachers and fellow classmates alike wonder how he even manages to complete his class work and maintain decent grades when his whole life clearly revolves around "baseball, baseball, baseball."
Ryan, who is the youngest son of locals Cecil and Carol Alford, is also one of the fourteen members of Cedar Key`s 2010 Senior class. At the beginning of his 15th year at Cedar Key, Ryan wisely said, "As a senior there are a lot more things to look forward to; sometimes you love to see the good times come, but hate to see them go."
When asked to describe his senior year in one word, he chose "fast." The first day of school, homecoming, baseball season and prom were all memorable milestones successfully passed in his last year on the small island`s school. In fact, his most memorable school-related moment was homecoming. When speaking of that particular night, the usually reserved Ryan opens up and says, "I was so nervous and excited at the same time. I remember all the people in the stands looking out at (fellow seniors) Lacy, Taylor, and myself while we were standing in the middle of the basketball court. I can remember the people yelling when we walked out on the floor; being blinded by the camera as all the people took hundreds of pictures from all over the gym."
First year teacher Mrs. Penny Bailey, who he affectionately calls "Mrs. B." made a big impact on Ryan in his senior year. When asked, he easily answers BSA and Customer Assistance 2 to be his favorite classes, which just so happens to be two of the 5 classes she teaches. One of his favorite feelings has been walking into her classroom and hearing the buzz of the computers. It`s admittedly enough to relax him and bring a smile to his face. In one of his sweeter moments, Ryan has also admitted that he always tries to do well because "I want to make her happy and make her feel like she is the best teacher that I know she is."
Although schooling is important to him, it just can`t compare to baseball. He`s played for seven years with the Cedar Key Sharks, with some other recreational teams on the side, so he definitely wasn`t looking forward to his last game of this most recent season. Towards the end of the season, he gave this statement, "This year I tried to have as much fun as possible at practice because I knew they are coming to a close. I also tried to do something spectacular at every game so people will want to come see us, and to remember me as one of the greatest baseball players Cedar Key has ever had."
After giving his most overall memorable moment, mentioned above, he felt the need to give baseball it`s own as well. His most memorable moment in all of his years as a baseball player was when he hit the walk-off home run against Meadowbrook. "I will remember that moment forever. I felt like I was on top of the world and there wasn`t a person around that could push me off. I remember the fans yelling as I went around the bases, the aroma of wet clay and grass, and my own heart about to explode out of my chest." He`s also said that although all of his home runs meant something, the ones as seniors really "hit home", and meant the most. Ryan might try to play at Central Florida, which is where he plans on attending college, but "they won`t match the days when I was a Shark."
Now it seems Ryan`s struggling to exchange the thought of baseball with his upcoming graduation on June 5th. He has plans to be a police officer, but he also wants a business degree. "It`s a hard decision to make, but my parents always push me to do whatever I want to do. I`m ready to get out in the real world and see what I can make of myself. I`m looking forward to graduation, and between now and then I`m going to try and make many more memorable moments and have as much fun possible. This year has gone by so fast, and I`m definitely going to miss everything and everyone and baseball." Baseball, baseball, baseball. 
Frankie Beckham
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By Caely Hibbits
"If I were you, Mrs. Bailey, I`d write `em up" was something Frankie Beckham, called "Cinco" and "Skittles," by his friends said many times during his senior year. Frankie is the son of Jeanniene Beckham. His siblings are Jennifer Zeigler, Jeffrey Zeigler, and Nicole Harper.
Frankie was quiet from ninth to eleventh grade, but came out of his shell during his senior year. His year started off with some business to finish with Williston`s Cross Country team. Williston had won the county champ team and Cedar Key was determined to win it back. When the meet rolled around Cedar Key not only took first as a team, they came in first, second, and third individually. With cross country season over Frankie went right into basketball season which brought Homecoming. Though he was sad the game was lost, Frankie had an exciting day. He was told "you make a pretty girl" and won the Miss CKS competition, where Senior boys dress up as girls and act. The winning continued as he was crowned Homecoming King that night. Frankie was also crowned the Prom King in April.
Frankie`s free time is spent running and playing basketball. He enjoys listening to his favorite band, "Metallica" and watching is favorite movie "Scarface." Frankie`s most enjoyed class is Marine Science, though he cannot pick a favorite teacher. In third grade Frankie puked on Ms. Sherie Johns and that is his most memorable moment. During his high school career Frankie participated in a sport every season: cross country, basketball, tennis, and track and field. Frankie was Cedar Key`s top runner in Cross Country earning the least amount of points (low score wins), the point-guard on the varsity basketball team, and the point leader for boys track and field. He was also active in Future Business Leaders of America. Out of the many comical pranks that Frankie has pulled the best one was when he put "Cheese Whiz" in Aaron`s toothpaste. Unfortunately Aaron did not use the toothpaste.
Following Frankie`s graduation he will ship out to Naval Boot Camp in October and hopes to visit Antarctica at some point. When asked why he responded, "Why not?" |
