By Sherri Blevins
The future looks brighter for several students at Crossville High School, thanks to the Crossville football team, a sports reporter, and the generosity of two Crossville alums. All played a role in awarding $250,000.00 in scholarships to Crossville students over the next ten years.
Crossville’s football team has been battling to succeed on the football field for the past three years without winning any games. However, the players’ attitudes of never giving up and persevering have earned them the respect and admiration of Coach Riley Edwards and the faculty at Crossville. Coach Edwards said he only has 21 players, and ten play both ways. He said, “After every loss, we line up and stand at attention to honor the victor while their alma mater plays. It’s about teaching these young men respect, even as we lose.” Rick Karle, a co-host and reporter for WVTM 13 in Birmingham, heard about the team and nicknamed it “The Crossville 21” and reported on their story and the difficulties the students face. He said, “There are 21 good kids, falling and getting back up, losing games while winning respect. Crossville, Alabama, is a blue-collar country. They scrape, and they claw to feed their families. They send their kids to school in the morning and watch them go to work when school gets out.”
Karl’s story was posted on Facebook and touched the heart of Rick Baker, a 1977 Crossville graduate who grew up in poverty in Crossville, where his father farmed to provide for the family. Baker contacted Rick Karl about the story. He told him, “I read a story called, ‘The Crossville 21’, and the author reminded me of the struggles that these Crossville kids endure. It really touched my heart, and I started to think of how I could help.”
While growing up, Baker dreamed of someday owning his own house, becoming famous, and being able to help those who need help. While in high school, he participated in the dual enrollment program at Snead State Community College in Boaz and eventually graduated from Auburn University with a business degree. From there, he graduated from Penn’s Wharton School of Business and was president of a Florida bank by the time he was 27. Baker has worked on Wall Street, represented movie stars, and traveled the world. He is now the Managing Director at Merrill Bank of America. His wife, Mariela Romero, has her own list of accomplishments, including winning 27 Emmy Awards as a broadcaster, motivator, and educator.
Baker and his wife visited Crossville High School and announced their decision to sponsor 25 Crossville students for the next ten years with $1,000.00 scholarships to Snead State. Crossville High School and Snead State committees will select the recipients each year. Baker stated, “We wanted to let kids know that with hard work and a little help, their lives can be changed. That is why we decided to do what we did.”
Baker added, “I have been blessed to have accomplished some good things in my life, but this is bigger than anything I have done. I am so happy to see the smiles on these children’s faces, as many are struggling.”
The future looks brighter thanks to The Crossville 21, Rick Karl, Rick Baker, and Mariela Romero.