Eighth-grade MERIT students have been learning about the impact that the 1996 Olympic games have had on the state of Georgia.  As a part of this learning experience, students had a guest speaker who was an Olympic torch runner in Thomas County during the 1996 Olympics tell of his involvement.  Steve Lasseter, retired teacher at Thomas County Middle School, told students of his experience of being selected as one of seven torch carriers in Thomas County nominated as a Community Hero.  More than 44,000 nominations were made for having the honor of carrying a torch leading up to the opening ceremonies as a Community Hero, and only 5,500 were chosen throughout the nation.  Lasseter carried the torch from The Plaza restaurant along Broad Street to the Thomas County Court House where he passed the torch to Rick Ivey.  

Lasseter was nominated by the YMCA for all of his community involvement and volunteer work throughout Thomas County.  Lasseter continues to volunteer as a coach for basketball, baseball, and football through the YMCA, just finishing his season with his undefeated 11-12 yr. old basketball team.   

Pictured below from left to right are Grace Parkerson, Roy Smith, Aryan Patel, Emily Hobbs, Fred Diggs, Jace Knapp, Michael Cavin, Bani Braswell, Javerius Franklin, Kaylee Barrett, Mike Jacob, and Steve Lasseter holding his Olympic torch.