Most middle-schoolers who play football probably sound a lot like Daniel Paul when asked about their sport of choice.
“I like everything about football,” Paul says. “I like playing tailback and fullback, running the ball, running people over.”
But, what would most middle-schoolers say about their performance in the classroom and other activities. This is where things are a little different.
In addition to his role with the Plant City Dolphins, Paul, 13, is a 4-H and FFA grand champion in three different categories. As a student, he is involved in Tomlin Middle School’s S.T.E.M. Academy for biotechnology.
And, he’s only in the seventh grade.
AGRICULTURE ACE
As a member of Future Farmers of America and previously as a member of Florida’s 4-H chapter, Paul has racked up a few agricultural grand championships since 2011.
“I was a grand champion in 2012 for showing lamb and in 2011 for showing dairy,” Paul says. “I was also a reserve grand champion in 2011 for showing swine.”
In these competitions, livestock are judged by appearances: tThe animal must be healthy and in good shape. Contestants must then explain their evaluation of an animal to an official, and the official gives them a score.
“Pigs are different,” Paul says. “That goes by market — who sells first. The buyers are at the beginning.”
Paul has competed and won at the Florida Strawberry Festival, the Hillsborough County Fair, and the Florida State Fair. And, he’s just as eager chatting about livestock as he is breaking down something out of his old football team’s playbook.
“Daniel is a great student, who has a passion for agriculture and FFA,” teacher Jason Steward says.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Tomlin’s S.T.E.M. program, short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, focuses on teaching students the concepts of biotechnology and environmental awareness — both in the classroom and out in the field. There are requirements to earn placement into the program.
“First, you have to apply,” Paul says. “Teachers have to recommend you. And it also goes off of your grades, and achievements.”
He didn’t have a problem making the grades. And, as of this writing, Paul’s grades are currently solid — all A’s and B’s — and he’s gunning to make the honor society. His pre-sixth grade achievement? Something most kids his age likely never considered.
“I won my fifth-grade science fair and went to districts,” Paul remembers. “I wanted to know: Does algae move faster or slower at different times of the day?”
He collected some algae samples at different times of the day, stuck them under a microscope, and observed and recorded their movement patterns for 30 seconds at a time. Algae, as it turns out, moves fastest in the middle of the day.
He and his classmates will go out in the field for project work from time to time. One day, they worked with Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry to restore the museum’s historical forest.
“He has been an asset to the Tomlin S.T.E.M. Academy and Tomlin FFA,” Steward says. “I look forward to teaching and working with Daniel every day and seeing him grow into a productive member of the Plant City community.”
GRIDIRON GRINDER
At the end of the day, football is Paul’s first love. He’s been playing for nine years, currently with the Plant City Dolphins JV squad, and platoons at tailback, fullback and middle linebacker.
“My favorite football memory was when I scored my first touchdown,” Paul says. “It was 2009, against the Pinecrest Pilots. We ran a 36 Blast — the quarterback handed it to me, and I went through the 6-hole. It was about a 20-yard run.”
He wants to play in college — he’s a Gator fan but also would consider Texas Christian and Oregon — and major in education.
“Just in case football doesn’t work out,” Paul says. “I’d like to teach science.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
AT A GLANCE
Daniel Paul is a TB/FB/MLB for the Plant City Dolphins, a three-time livestock grand champion with 4-H and FFA, a member of Tomlin Middle School’s S.T.E.M. Academy for Biotechnology, and an A and B student. He dreams of college football and a career as an educator.
TWO OF A KIND
Daniel Paul is friends with De’Javian “Pac-Man” Jones, who was the Plant City Times & Observer’s Aug. 22 Athlete of the Week.
According to Paul’s mother, Tina Sanders, Jones spends weekends with their family.
“He came to us after practice one night and said, ‘Can I stay with you? I don’t have a ride to the game tomorrow,’” Sanders says. “We said, ‘Sure,’ and he turned out to be a nice, respectful kid.”
Now, they pick Jones up from school on Fridays, and he goes home on Sundays.