There are times in our lives when we see something, and we stop dead in our path to recognize an act that fills our eyes with tears, and makes our hearts full. This is a story about that exact thing.
Meet Adam Hecox. You won’t see him standing at the front of a line, he’ll be the one holding the door. You won’t see him taking selfies, he’ll be taking pictures of his family, and the team that he is coaching.

Adam is no stranger to Mansfield.  Growing up here, a student of Mansfield School District, and playing ball as a Tiger. His recent act caught our attention, and his story needs to be told.
You also need to meet Drake Brunson, whose infectious smile, and energetic demeanor are hard to miss. If you know Drake, you’ll understand his passion for sports, specifically Football.

Drake was born with a condition called Hydrocephalus, which causes cerebral spinal fluid to build up on his brain due to his ventricles being shut. He underwent two surgeries, one at 2 months of age, and another at 6 months to install, and revise a shunt that would be used to drain fluid. In other words, the shunt replaces his ventricles.
Drakes mom, Jenni Brunson stated, “Doctors told us that he would have brain damage.” Drake has since then proved the Doctors wrong.
His passion for football crossed paths with Adams coaching responsibilities, and that’s where the story starts……
Because of Drakes condition, he cannot play football. In fact, his only connection to the game is to watch his big sister, Serenity, cheer on the Tigers as a cheerleader. Being close to Drake, Adam knew of his passion as well as his condition, but felt like Drake should have a role, and a place on the Little League Team for this upcoming season.
Hecox stated, “You can’t overlook his smile, and the absolute devotion he has for Football.”
Adam had an idea that would benefit Drake, the Little League Tigers, and show his true colors in his support for the game, and the town he calls home.
Going right to work on this idea, Adam had an official shirt and name tag made with “Water Distributor” in professional form. Then he created a contract that listed the duties of the position for Drake to accept, or deny.
Needless to say, Drake accepted and signed his name, as his face lit up with a smile. He will be the official water distributor for the 2016 Little League Mansfield Tigers, under coach Adam Hecox. Congratulations Drake!
We would like to personally thank you Adam for going up, and above your call to not only inspire, and encourage a little boy, but to show him, your team, and a town exactly what is needed in today’s society.
When you see Adam out and about, thank him. Give Drake a “High-Five” and do your part to make this a great season for the Tigers, and our hometown. GO TIGERS!

The citizens of Mansfield often speak of wanting to see a change, to see new businesses come into our town and open their doors. The outlying communities all contribute, and feel the effects of a thriving, or declining town. Growth cannot be successful where there is no pride, or ownership in its surroundings.
Why would a business or company want to call Mansfield home if we are only looking at them to help the economy, and create jobs, when in fact we’re overlooking the elements to attract homeowners, businesses, and growth in general.
The lack of pride is only the start, the beginning of decline. When people stop caring about their roots, they no longer water the garden. Ironically that’s the case here, and it screams to not only the citizens, but the visitors whose opinions carry outside the city limits.
The photo below shows a sidewalk in Mansfield, which is visible to anyone, and everyone. Would you want to open a business where the streets look like this?

The image represents a small part of the bigger picture. If we can’t combat a sidewalk lined with trash, weeds, and grass, how can we definitively debate with a potential homeowner, or business that’s looking at our town to call home.
it starts with pride, some weedkiller,  and a change of focus. That begins at the top, but we can all do our individual part to water the garden, and promote growth.
Think about this….WHAT IF, the streets were cleaned, buildings were painted, and business windows were lined with GO BIG RED, or GO TIGERS on game days, and the parking spots on Main Street were filled on an daily basis? Fact is, that is a possibility.
Even though change has to start at the top with city leaders, it needs to trickle all the way down to the citizens, through involvement and volunteerism. Before we the town can “SHINE”, we need to clean up our act, and look towards the future for our kids sake, and for the future of Mansfield.
EDITORIAL – This feature is dedicated to the opinions, and perspectives of those who want a change for the better in not only growth for our area, but a change of focus, followed by action. It is intended to provoke thoughts that make our area more appealing to the opportunities from outside, and within the city limits.
Feel free to comment. Your opinion is appreciated.
 

Mansfield Elementary Citizens for the month of May
Word of the month was “Loyalty.”
Back Row: Travis Tobey, Peyton Hope, Caydence Moore, River Sanders, Chloe Beran
2nd Row: James Drews, Trinity Triska, Cooper Edwards, Autumn Knobelsdorf, Leland Powell
Front Row: Brody DesOrmeaux, Chance Hodge, Matthew Crane, Drake Brunson, Madilyn Henderson
(Not Pictured: Talon Honeycutt)