They Do Us Proud

    Sen. Mark Obenshain, the Republican Party’s nominee for attorney general of Virginia, lost by a razor-thin margin to Sen. Mark Herring in the recent statewide election.
    Throughout the very long campaign, Obenshain, a 1980 graduate, conducted himself with utmost professionalism and handled a series of post-election events that could have revealed the worst but instead brought out his best.
    As he toured the state with his daughter Tucker serving as his chauffeur, Obenshain addressed the goals he intended to accomplish if elected.
    He took the high road, a refreshing approach in today’s political climate that often seems more about name calling, trash talking, and one-upsmanship than addressing issues and doing right by the electorate.
    As he rode the emotional roller coaster created by the narrow outcome followed by the obligatory recount, he made all the right moves, focused on the positive, then wished the victor well and left the stage with his head high and his dignity intact.

    Charles Samuels, class of 1994, represents Richmond’s Second District on City Council and serves as Council president.
    It’s an understatement to say that the capital city’s government has provided its share of craziness and dysfunction over the years.
    Even on hot-button issues, Samuels has managed always to remain above the fray, maintain an even keel, convey a sense of calm and civility, and provide a voice of reason.
    While he’s never been afraid to take a stand, he’s found a way to do so without being supercilious or playing to the media.
   
    Many of us at Collegiate followed the post-season adventures of Wilton Speight, the first-team Richmond Times-Dispatch All-Metro quarterback who earned a spot in the Under Armour All-American football game on January 2.
    In Orlando, the University of Michigan recruit found himself amongst the top seniors in the country.
    Each day, ESPNU showcased the practice sessions, which included numerous interviews as well as much analysis and incessant conversation amongst the commentators that the network had hired to inform and entertain the audience.
    During the game itself, several elite recruits appeared before the cameras at pre-determined intervals to announce their college choices as if their decisions were the top stories of the new year.
    There was much drama, much swagger, and much flaunting of innate talent. It was all predictable, perhaps, since many of those featured are the crème de la crème of their high school programs and reside in and will matriculate to venues where football is more religion than sport.
    Speight was refreshing exception. To his credit, there was absolutely no theater, no bluster, no it’s-all-about-me mentality that seemed so prevalent as the events unfolded.
    He’s obviously figured out how to remain humble and grounded despite the enormous attention he’s attracted and adulation he’s received.

    What discussion of Collegiate athletics would be complete without mention of 2007 alumnus Russell Wilson, the quarterback par excellence of the Seattle Seahawks?
    There’s much to admire about Wilson, who has played a huge role in his team’s success these past two seasons.
    Beyond his statistics, charisma, and prodigious athletic ability is the fact that the Russell Wilson the public has come to know is in no way a media creation.
    In fact, the uncommonly talented, confident, and now ubiquitous Wilson is the very same guy who walked the halls on North Mooreland Road, made his Collegiate teammates better, and raised the bar for work ethic, leadership, athletic excellence, and sportsmanship.
    He understands full well the concept of noblesse oblige.
    For his good works on the football field and in the Seattle community, he’s been accorded much acclaim.
    Rightfully so.
    Go ‘Hawks!
            -- Weldon Bradshaw