Broughton High senior Colin Summers has been selected by the Carolina Panthers as a 2009 Carolina Panthers Community Captain.
The Carolina Panthers Community Captain program recognizes high school football student-athletes in North and South Carolina who excel in the classroom, in the community and on the 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.
“Leadership is a choice not a position” is a lesson Summers has learned both on and off the field and a mantra by which he lives. Through Summers’ willingness and natural ability to lead, he serves as a role model to his teammates and peers.
“Habits of hard work, determination, motivation, commitment, initiative, discipline, mental toughness, good character and a passion for excellence continue to guide me on the field and in the classroom,” said Summers.
Summers has received multiple team awards during his Capital athletic career that reflect his personal philosophy for achievement. He has received the Sportsmanship award four times, the Most Improved Player twice, Most Valuable Player six times and has served as captain of the Broughton football team for the past three years. Summers was also selected to participate in East Carolina University’s Leadership Institute and the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Institute.
Summers considers the work he does in the classroom just as important as the work he does on the field. By recognizing the value of his education, Summers has pushed himself to always do well academically.
He has been recognized several times by faculty members through the CAPS On a Roll program, which is an honor given by a teacher to one student each quarter to recognize their hard work and academic achievements in the classroom.
“Colin exemplifies the true meaning of a student-athlete. He was offered many scholarships but he chose Wake Forest University. He chose a university that will make him excel both in the classroom and on the field,” said Head Football Coach, Christopher Martin.
“When much is given, much should be given back. Leaders serve others,” said Summers, who also values serving others. Summers was taught the importance of community service at an early age and still considers it a top priority. Excelling beyond the required number of community services hours mandated by Broughton High, Summers volunteers through community initiatives including Helping Hands Ministry, Appalachian Service Project and the North Carolina Food Bank. “I have always walked away from those experiences feeling that those individuals gave me much more that I ever gave them,” said Summers.
Summers will attend Wake Forest University in the fall of 2010.