John Hammett patrolled the football sidelines as a head coach for many years but the former JF Webb coach now finds being athletic director at a small school such as Oxford Prep to be quite satisfying. Even though there are aspects of being a football coach that he misses, one of the reasons he made the change was it began to become more like work.
Being a football coach meant Hammett had to deal with injuries, something he says Oxford Prep takes very seriously. “You have to teach players differently about how to deal with injuries. The more education the better,” Hammett says. “Athletes have to be honest,” according to Hammett. That’s hard he says because the kids are competitive and don’t want to miss any time on the field or the court.
According to Hammett, Oxford Prep is becoming more competitive on the basketball court. After a slow start, the school won a big rivalry game last week over Eno River.
So while Hammett may not be patrolling the sidelines of a football field, Oxford Prep’s AD position seems to be working out for him. “It’s nice, because it’s small,” Hammett summed up.
Isaac Charles Watkins, a junior at Oxford Preparatory School, has been selected to attend North Carolina Governor’s School of 2021.
Watkins, 17, lives in Oxford with his parents Kelly Watkins and Chris Cox. He was selected for the program because of high academic performance in the social sciences, according to Vici Bradsher, upper school director at OPS. He will attend Governor’s School West, held at High Point University, Bradsher noted.
“Being selected for Governor’s School is a high honor,” Bradsher said. “Not all schools have students selected to attend Governor’s School,” she said. He is the first OPS student to be selected to attend the summer program.
“We are honored that Isaac has been selected,” Bradsher said, adding that it is “a testament to the level of dedication with which Isaac pursues everything. Isaac is such a very deserving young man.”
His accomplishments extend into the community as well. He spends time helping others at Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) food bank in Oxford and the Flat River Baptist Association Church & Communities Ministries in Oxford. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout last year. His Eagle Scout project was the creation of a prayer garden at Sharon Baptist Church, where he attends with his family.
Watkins will be studying the social sciences at Governor’s School, and Bradsher said he excels in history, government and politics. At OPS, he also is a member of the swimming and cross-country teams, and is a commencement marshal for the second year.
His mother, Kelly Watkins, said Wednesday that her son also is interested in philosophy and religion, adding that he has indicated an interest in pursuing those subjects in college.
Music is another passion he pursues. He plays electric guitar in the OPS Jazz band and plays trumpet in the school’s performing Band. Outside of school activities, he co-founded The Palm Trees, a band that has performed for various events at the Senior Center in Oxford.
He performs musical selections regularly at his church, his mother said. His maternal grandfather majored in music in college, and Isaac plays the trumpet that his grandfather once played.
The North Carolina Governor’s School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The 5 ½-week program is located on two campuses: Governor’s School West is at High Point University in High Point, and Governor’s School East is held at Meredith College in Raleigh. Each site can accommodate up to 335 students. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division.
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https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Isaac-Charles-Watkins-Gov-School-031021.png265504Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2021-03-10 12:33:132021-03-10 12:33:13Watkins selected for Governor’s School
-Information courtesy of Coach Rick Kenner, Oxford Preparatory School
The 1A Mideast Men’s Golf Regional Championship was contested yesterday at Kerr Lake Country Club in Henderson. There were 17 schools represented with 8 teams competing and 51 total golfers. The top 3 teams and top 6 individuals not on one of those qualifying teams will advance to the 1A State Championships at Foxfire Golf & Resort where they will play the red course on Monday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 8.
The individual medalist with a score of 79 is Stephen Spencer of Uwharrie Charter Academy.
There was a four-way tie for individual runner-up medalist with scores of 84: Bennett Barnes (Woods Charter), Cole Scearce (Voyager Academy), Wesley Aitken (Oxford Prep) and Jacob Bliss (Oxford Prep).
The team Regional Champion with a score of 351 is Raleigh Charter.
Individual State Qualifiers are:
Cole Scearce – Voyager Academy
Bennett Barnes – Woods Charter
Daniel Jones – Bishop McGuinness
Matt Kelly – Bishop McGuinness
Zachary Brayboy – South Robeson HS
Aiken McDowell – Falls Lake Academy
Team State Qualifiers:
Raleigh Charter
Oxford Prep
Uwharrie Charter
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-05-02 16:59:382018-05-02 15:55:53Oxford Prep Golf Team Advances to 1A State Championship
Oxford Prep beat East Wake Tuesday 9-1. Emily Faucette drove in 2 runs on a first pitch single in the first inning. O P added 3 more in the 4th which made the score 8-0. East Wake got 1 run in the top of the 6th and O P countered with 1 in the bottom.
Jordan Dunn took the circle for O P allowing 1 hit, 1 run over 7 innings, striking out 12. O P goes to Roxboro Wednesday for a 5:00 game at Bushy Fork Park.
Team coaches and others designated by a team may submit local sports summaries, and WIZS will publish them online at wizs.com / Facebook / Twitter as well as on 1450 AM and on our live stream. Until further notice, you may use the form at https://wizs.com/psas/ or email news@wizs.com.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-04-18 14:59:592018-04-18 14:59:59Oxford Prep beat East Wake 9-1
— submitted by Andrew Swanner, Executive Director Oxford Preparatory School
Donate Blood at Oxford Prep!
Thursday April 12th: 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the OPS Interact Club
Blood is a vital modern medicine. It is used everyday to treat patients with blood disorders, those receiving organ transplants, being treated for burns, or undergoing cancer treatment. By donating blood to the Red Cross, you are giving someone another chance at life!
Type in the Oxford zip code (27565) and click “Find a drive”
Next, choose the option for “Oxford Preparatory School” and schedule your donation time!
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-04-10 18:50:022018-04-10 21:29:06Donate Blood at Oxford Prep 4-12-18
Executive Director Andrew Swanner, of Oxford Prepartory School, issued the following press release:
Oxford Prep Receives USDA Funding for School Facility Acquisition
Oxford Preparatory School (OPS), a free public charter school expanding to serve 6th-12th grades in Oxford, recently completed a real estate closing with a low cost loan from the USDA. After moving into the permanent school facility, located at 6041 Landis Rd. in Oxford, the OPS Board pursued a direct loan from the USDA’s Community Facilities Program. The long-term and low interest financing from the USDA, allowed the school to purchase the 11 acres and 38,000 square foot facility on campus.
“We are grateful for the assistance the USDA has provided,” OPS Executive Director, Andrew Swanner remarked. “This low cost loan will allow us to make additional investments in the classroom to further our mission of preparing all students for success in college.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-03-19 23:03:072018-03-19 23:03:07Oxford Prep Receives USDA Funding for School Facility Acquisition
Friday (3-16-18) the Oxford Prep Griffins beat Franklin Academy by a score of 10 – 0. Another excellent pitching job by Jordan Dunn with 10 strike outs. Dunn had 1 hit 2 RBI, Kaci Roberson had 1 hit 1 RBI, MacKenzie Pendergrass had 2 hits 3 RBI, Hannah Brewer had 1 hit 1 RBI, and Jordan Jones had 1 hit 1 RBI. The Griffins face Vance Charter on Tuesday for our fourth straight conference game.
(WIZS will publish local sports results submitted by team coaches or appointed team representatives. Please email johncharles@wizs.com for more information.)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-03-19 22:43:372018-03-19 22:43:37OPS Softball Win 3-16-18
The cover photo shows last year’s Oxford Prep Middle School softball team following an undefeated inaugural season.
The following sports information entries were submitted by Oxford Prep coaches:
Oxford Prep Softball Coach Tommy Anstead emailed WIZS News and said, “The Griffins defeated Falls Lake yesterday 6 – 2. It was a well played game by both teams. Jordan Dunn pitched a great game and had an in the park home run. All 9 batters hit the ball yesterday.”
Oxford Prep Women’s Soccer Coach Robert Breedlove indicated by email that Granville Central High School defeated Oxford Prep 2-0 at Granville Athletic Park.
(All local team coaches in Vance, Granville and Warren Counties are welcome to email WIZS News at johncharles@wizs.com with sports results. Your submission will be published and it will be good for your team, school and community. It will also help WIZS provide additional local coverage.)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Oxford-Prep-Middle-School-jumps-into-Softball-with-an-undefeated-inaugural-season.jpg280453John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-03-01 15:38:492018-03-01 15:38:49Oxford Prep Softball and Women’s Soccer 2-28-18
The following is a press release from Andrew Swanner, Executive Director of the Oxford Preparatory School.
Oxford Prep Set to Host 4th Mattress Sale Fundraiser
On Saturday, March 3 Oxford Prep will host its 4th annual mattress sale fundraiser. Once again the sale is sponsored by The Mattress Center of Winston Salem. The Mattress Center is owned by Paul Smith, a 2006 graduate of J.F. Webb High School and former deputy sheriff with the Granville County Sheriff’s Department.
There will be two important changes this year. For the first time, the Mattress Sale will be held in Oxford Prep’s new gymnasium, located at 6041 Landis Road in Oxford. In addition, one-half of the proceeds will be benefit OPS athletics and one-half will benefit the school’s academic needs through PTO grants.
Once again, The Mattress Center will bring a full line of top quality mattresses and accessories that will be offered at great prices. The lineup will feature Sealy Hybrid, Sterns & Foster, Simmons Beautyrest, adjustable beds, Cool Gel memory foam beds, flat pack bed base pillows, and mattress protectors. These mattresses are some of the best available in market right now. You can even get the review of the best orthopaedic mattresses online. In addition to accepting cash or check, a number of financing options will be offered including zero percent financing, no credit financing, and free layaway.
The fundraiser will be held at the Oxford Prep gymnasium from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3rd. “This is my way of giving back to the community that has done so much for me over the years,” Smith said. “Anyone who is not satisfied with the bed they are sleeping on can get a top-quality mattress at a really low price, and help some of our students at the same time.”
(This is not a paid advertisement.)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-02-19 14:05:192020-07-27 05:00:17Oxford Prep Set to Host 4th Mattress Sale Fundraiser
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0025_30144215v8rmunMw.png.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2018-02-06 19:23:352018-02-06 19:23:35The OPS Academic Honorees Fall Semester 2017/2018
His mother, Kelly Watkins, said Wednesday that her son also is interested in philosophy and religion, adding that he has indicated an interest in pursuing those subjects in college.
