Students who shaved their heads to show support of fellow classmate Ricky Evans are, from left, kneeling: Lorando Evans and Dallas Willson; first row: Josh Sipes, Dillon Fields, Cad Davis and Mason Davis; second row: Bryan Weatherford, Spencer Clark, Taylor Brinson, Will Brinson, Ricky Evans, Ray Waters, Bobby Boone, C.J. Elmore and Dondre DeJesus; and third row: Aaron Comstock, Matt Thompson, Damon Elmore, Jay Bowers, Cody Johnson, Lavonte Lovett and Tyler Kirkland. Ricky is the son of Michael and Teresa Jones and Ricky Evans Sr. (Photo contributed) Ricky Evans is a champ. There is no doubt about it. The tenth-grade student at Jenkins County High School plays football, computer games and sometimes just "hangs out." In many ways he and his brother and companion Lorando Evans are typical teenagers.

One day last summer I met the boys at Town and Country Cleaners, where their mother, Theresa Jones works. They were selling cookies from a table on the sidewalk. They were raising money to help pay for a family trip to Jekyll Island. We struck a business deal. The boys promised to visit the nature study areas and to find out about the Governor, a Jenkins County boy who bought the island for Georgia. They filled their promise.

The hero and champ in Ricky Evans began to emerge in the past month, and through his pain the strength and courage that makes a real champion spread to his brother, friends and teammates.

Doctors in Augusta found a brain tumor, the source of recent unexplained problems for Ricky. This Thursday sur- geons at the Medical College of Georgia will perform a craniotomy, opening his head to remove the growth.

For this writer, the story, the fear was close to home. I had a craniotomy after a terrible accident three years ago. The boys knew this, and Ricky called to ask about the procedure.

Knowing his head would be shaved just before surgery. Ricky chose to shave it in advance to see how he would look. Lorando described to me the scene in the high school cafeteria, as well planned as a movie scene or a drama.

When Ricky walked in for lunch, teammates and friends stood, smiling at him. Then, together, they removed their caps, each head held high with pride, was shaved. As Ricky told me, "All supporting me, black and white, together."

No story in the school's history could be finer or more moving. I believe I'll get my razor now.

Ricky is the son of Michael and Theresa Jones and Ricky Evans Sr. The family expressed gratitude for the community's support and prayers and asks for continued prayers in Ricky's behalf.