CULLMAN – The Cullman Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Banquet was held on April 28, and Cullman High School’s Griffin McCravy was an award recipient, nominated by his school counselor, who said McCravy’s servant’s heart and humility define service above self.
McCravy’s introduction to volunteering with true humility happened at church.
“I started out learning sound and lighting in church at a young age,” said McCravy. “When I hit the high school in ninth grade, I was introduced to Mr. Dillon Lee who introduced me to the theatre department. I ran sound for the CHS production of ‘Aladdin.’”
CHS teacher and coach John Drake describes McCravy’s inherent giving nature. “Griffin is a priceless person. He is representative of the type of student and person that every teacher and people outside of the teaching profession would want to be around. He is selfless and serving. Anything that I need help with, he is always willing to help.”
After his work with “Aladdin” and years of experience gained with sound and lighting at church, McCravy had the confidence to fly solo.
“Starting my sophomore year, I began to service myself out through theatre and individually to run events around Cullman. I've run the senior breakfast at St. John's, events at the civic center and I also help with lighting solutions for many local churches.”
At CHS, McCravy’s skills are indispensable and it’s hard to imagine what the school will do without him next year.
“At the high school I help with sound and lighting for events, but I also help in the classroom. I guess you could call me the ‘tech support’ of the teachers here at the high school.”
Said Drake, “Griffin is always willing to help and is one of the main leaders of the broadcast team. Additionally, I have seen him help many other teachers at school when they have a ‘tech’ problem. He always steps up and helps and never complains.”
CHS’s favorite videographer brings fresh ideas to the table as well. “I also assist Coach Drake with the editing of many of the high school’s videos which can be found on YouTube by searching ‘Cullman High School.’ In fact, there is a video entitled ‘Sport of the Week’ on YouTube which was my original idea and includes drone footage and an interview.”
Most recently, McCravy and the Bearcat News Network were on hand at Sportsman Lake Park on April 23 to cover Charles Coggins’ 100,000th mile on his bicycling journey that started back in 1986.
McCravy will be attending Highlands College in Birmingham in the fall and pursuing a degree in audio and video broadcast engineering. CHS is already feeling the void that will be left when he leaves for college.
Drake shared, “I am fortunate to have a student like Griffin that has crossed my path. Griffin is simply, one of those ‘good guys.’ He is one of those students that I always love to see coming through my classroom door. A student that always brings a smile to my face and that I always want to be around.
“I felt like I hit the jackpot last week when I was asked to represent Cullman High School, Griffin, his family and the community at the Rotary Club's Service Above Self recognition banquetI also sent out an email to my colleagues at Cullman High School and asked if they would mind sending out a few words about Griffin and why he deserved this award. I told the teachers that they had a deadline of two hours to send me back some information on what I had asked. Within five minutes I had two teachers reply back to me. Within the next hour I had thirteen of my colleagues, his teachers, reply back to me regarding how great a student Griffin is and how he has helped them all in the past.”
The complete list of 2016 area winners of the Cullman Rotary Club’s Service Above Self awards:
- Cold Springs High School – Bailey West
- Fairview High School – Tiffany Crook
- Good Hope High School – Hannah Dillashaw
- Hanceville High School – Briana Morgan
- Holly Pond High School – Brianne Brewis
- Vinemont High School – Kara Smith
- West Point High School – Madison Goodwin
- Cullman Christian – Grant Wideman
- Cullman High School – Griffin McCravy
- St. Bernard Prep – Jillian Ivey
Rotary International is a service organization which was formed well over 100 years ago and whose members provide humanitarian aid to those in their communities while upholding the highest ethical standards.
“The Cullman Rotary Club is involved in several community service activities. Most recently our club picked up litter for PALS and read to and with students at Cullman Primary School. Each fall we take clients from CCCDC to the fair. We are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to construct a group home for CCCDC. The funds we raise from our annual auction held in March each year support these projects as well as grants we provide to many worthwhile nonprofits and service projects in Cullman,” explained Jeb Williamson, chairperson of the Vocational Service Committee of the Cullman Rotary Club.
