Practice makes perfect.

Johnnie Cason knows that more than most.

This Wharton High School senior is used to putting in the practice hours on the football field. But even the moment that will arguably be the biggest day of his high school career, graduation, calls for a rehearsal.

The applause is well warranted. Johnnie earned it.

“Those are the kids I root for,” said the school's athletic director Eddie Henderson. “Those are the kids I follow when they leave, after they cross the stage and go out into the real world. Those are the kids I’m rooting for.”

For Johnnie, there’s plenty to celebrate. He leaves Wharton in a better place than when he started. He helped take the Wildcats football team to heights they hadn’t experienced in nearly a decade. He also helped raise the bar academically and in the community.

“Don’t ever give up yourself, no matter what. I always try to improve in every aspect in anything I do in life,” Cason said.

“It shows how valuable they are to the school, how valuable they are to their athletic program and how valuable they are in the classroom,” Henderson said.

Johnnie proved his worth in every aspect of his high school life. Through his time with the football team and in the classroom, to his commitment to community service with hundreds of volunteer hours at the local public library and Feeding Tampa Bay, this do-it-all senior left his mark at Wharton.

“It warms my heart. I mean, being in the business for 30 years and to see kids be so well rounded, it’s a joy,” Henderson said.

Johnnie didn’t do it alone. As any football player can attest, the support of your teammates is everything. And he had that from his family, football brothers and school administrators.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” Henderson said. “That’s a statement I’ve always believed in that it takes a village to raise a child. So he had his support system at school, from our administrative staff, from our guidance counselors, from the teachers he came in contact with every day. So, like I said, it takes a village to raise a child.”

Johnnie took in the full high school experience. He soaked it all in. He wants to be remembered for the tone he set. A positive and successful tone.

“I always want them to remember always like a good spirit. I’m always going to make sure everyone around me is having good energy, good vibe and just have fun,” Cason said.

ABOUT SCHOLAR ATHLETE

Spectrum Bay News 9 wants to recognize exemplary student athletes — teens who excel both on the field in and in the classroom.

Throughout the school year, we’ll be introducing you to a scholar athlete from one of the Bay area's seven counties.

Scholar athletes are nominated and chosen by school staff and represent what the schools consider to be a prime example of hard work, dedication, and positive impact on their school communities.

Winners also receive a $1,000 scholarship toward their continued education courtesy of Spectrum Networks!