Chalonda Goodman

This week's featured student is Chalonda Goodman. Chalonda is a senior at Newnan and is currently taking Nutrition and Wellness, Advanced Economics, Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, and AP Literature and Composition. Her favorite class is AP Literature because she like writing. She is highly involved with running track with the school and outside of school.

Since Chalonda was seven and began running track, she has been training. She trains for the two events she runs, the one-hundred meter dash and the two-hundred meter dash, as often as five days a week from October to July. All the hard work Chalonda has devoted to training has paid off tremendously. The fastest times she has run in the one-hundred meter dash is 11.31 and in the two-hundred meter dash is 23.22. She has received many accolades and much recognition.

Accomplishments in high school for Chalonda include the distinction that she has been the state champion in both the two-hundred meter dash and the one-hundred meter dash for the last three years. She has been the champion in the Nike Outdoor High School National Champion ship in 2007 and 2008. Another huge accomplishment for Chalonda is making the Youth World Team. She was able to compete in the Czech Republic and won gold and silver medals.

Chalonda has traveled outside the country twice for track events. Her first international competition was held in Puerto Rico. She said it was a gorgeous place that made her feel calm and relaxed. During her competition in the Czech Republic, Chalonda was able to meet different athletes from all over the world and to experience a different culture. She made great friendships with fellow American athletes.

Over the past year Chalonda has received even more awards. In 2004 and 2008, she was the National Junior Olympic Champion in the one-hundred meter dash and the two-hundred meter dash. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, she was the High School State Champion in the two events. This year, she has been named the Gatorade Athlete of the Year, Youth National Champion, Atlanta Track Club Most Outstanding Female Runner, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution Most Outstanding Female Athlete. Chalonda says, "I feel extremely blessed and thankful, but no matter how many awards I win, I will always stay humble."

The inspiration Chalonda has for running comes from her brother, Demiko. Demiko is a former track/football star from Newnan and currently is a starting wide receiver at the University of Georgia. Chalonda says, "He has revealed to me the magnitude of faith, perseverance, and sacrifice." Even though injuries have been an obstacle for Demiko, he still pushed for success. Chalonda has looked to her brother's example and overcome her own mental and physical barriers to emerge as a phenomenal runner. Before each of her races, Chalonda also reads scripture from the Bible to help inspire her.

As for Chalonda's future, she wants to pursue a track career. She has interests in the University of Texas, Auburn University, LSU, University of South Caroline, University of Southern California, and Central Florida. She plans to study business law and major in Accounting Finance and then go to law school. She wants to be a professional athlete and later pursue a career in business law. Her major long term goal for now is to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

--Whitney Mann, Spotlight Editor