Two West Orange High alums meet Jimmy Carter

Among the 20 Georgia Southwestern State University students sitting in Plains High School are freshmen Elli Lucas and Adam Wilson.

It’s Friday, Sept. 13, and these collegians — who are a part of the school’s new President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program — are waiting for the program’s namesake.

Their short wait pays off when the doors open and a smiling Jimmy Carter walks in. The excitement among students when the 39th president of the United States greeted them was palpable, Lucas said.

“My first instinct was kind of the whole, ‘He is real,’ because we only see him through papers and online, so seeing him in-person. … I was kind of starstruck for a moment, if I’m being honest,” said Lucas, a West Orange High alum who also plays softball at the university. “He was just a sweet old man, and he reminded (me) of someone my grandma and grandpa would hang out with.” 

Wilson’s appreciation for the former president was instilled into him by his grandfather, so having the chance to meet Carter was something of a dream for him.

“It was a really cool moment,” said Wilson, a graduate of West Orange High. “My grandpa has been a big fan of his for a lot of his life, and he has always loved not only the things he did in his presidency, but also the things he did outside of his presidency.”

For the next 45 minutes, Carter spoke with the students about his life growing up in rural Georgia and about his time in the White House, before moving on to a Q&A where students got the chance to ask him whatever they wished.

As a part of the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program, participants had to read a book on Carter, so they each had a question in-hand to ask.

Lucas’ question was about whether Carter and former Vice President Walter Mondale ever did anything spontaneously during their time in the White House, while others asked questions about his humanitarianism.

“He told me that he actually became an amazing bowler, he played tennis and he would go skiing,” Lucas said. “It was kind of cool to see the relaxed side of him, and not necessarily the always on politics (side). It was very cool to get a personal look.”

After the short talk, students got photos with Carter before taking the rest of the day to explore the former president’s childhood home and farm.

The day’s events were an early highlight for a program that was established this year to honor the legacy of the former president and GSW graduate. The four-year program offers up scholarship money for students, and, according to the website, “consists of two pathways, an Undergraduate Research Track and a Service Track, that exemplify Carter’s lifetime of leadership in education, politics and community service.”

Both Lucas and Wilson were accepted into the program after applying and doing an interview with Lynda Lee Purvis, the program’s director.

“I knew it was right immediately, because the only thing we talked about during my call was my band, which was really funny — I thought that was really cool,” Wilson said. “I felt right at home and I felt really comfortable with (Purvis) and I was really excited to be able to work with her. We’re doing great things around the community and we’re excited to see where it goes.”

The students are currently working on multiple projects to fulfill their requirements for the program.

Lucas is planning on starting a sign language club, while Wilson is looking to start up a pep rally club, but the biggest project at hand is a stress relief event for exam week.

“We’re going to be setting up several tents, and my tent I’ll be playing music with another person that lives in our hall,” Wilson said. “And we’re going to have slime, bubble wrap and we’re going to bring out puppies. It’s just a way for people to get their minds off of school for once.”

Though the program itself is about helping the community and furthering each participant’s education, it’s also a family, Lucas said.

All 20 students live in the same hall and have become best friends. It’s something that has made their lives better, Lucas said.

“I think if I didn’t have this hall, it would make the transition to college life so much more difficult,” Lucas said. “They really are like another family to me, and it’s crazy how we all come from different areas, but we all have a common goal — whether that’s our education or whatever it may be. We all just support each other no matter what.”