This isn\'t a story about a track meet with national level competitors posting eye popping times. It\'s not about an athlete that broke a state or national record. North Gwinnett High School took the time last week to honor a man that has a lot to teach us all and that man is Gary Billion.
I used to teach at North Gwinnet High School. I spent an amazing fourteen years there. During that time, I had the honor of meeting Gary Billion. Gary came up to me one day at a track meet flashing a million (or is it a billion?) dollar smile and wished us good luck in the meet that day. He became a fixture at the school, showing up for all the home meets, sitting in his wheel chair, sharing in the joy that is high school track and field. When one of our athletes would make the paper, I could always count on Gary to have a copy of the press clipping for the kids. He has a geniune love for the kids...always has. I don\'t think I ever saw the man without a smile on his face or without a kind word for the kids. The team could always count on Gary to be there, rooting for them from his section next to the home bleachers. At the end of the meet, he\'d often be there to congratulate or console but without fail, he met you with that billion dollar smile.
This past weekend, North Gwinnett took the time to honor Gary with the 1st Annual Gary Billion Invitational, a tribute to a man who\'s contributions to his community are priceless. His geniune love for the kids of the community and his commitment to the school made this one an honor long overdue. Congratulations to the folks at North Gwinnett for taking time to pay back an individual that has given so much to others over the years. In a day and age, where we all seem too busy to slow down and take stock of what\'s important, Gary Billion seems to have his priorities straight and has made an impact that will outlive us all.