ORANGE PARK – As part of its Black History Month celebration, Orange Park High’s Student Council invited Rodney DuBose to speak at St. Giles Presbyterian Church on Friday, Feb. 7.

DuBose may be the current Athletics Director at rival Oakleaf High, but he was Orange Park’s first Black football coach. His professional allegiance may be with the Knights, but he admitted his heart will always be with the Panthers.

He pointed to his orange and black tie as proof.

Then, he told a story that circled back with an important message. He talked of a father looking for someone to continue his vision in business and possibly marry his beautiful daughter.

“When you die, the vision must continue,” he said. “And for your information, the daughter is a wonderful, respectful, intelligent, rare and virtuous woman.”

To be considered, though, a man had to swim across a pool filled with hungry crocodiles without being eaten. Whoever succeeded would have three options: be made an immediate 50/50 partner, get the entire business once the man died or marry his daughter.

Suddenly, there was a splash. And after a brutal fight, a man emerged from the pool. He turned down the first offer. Then, the second. And the third.

“You are probably expected to say that he wants all three rewards, but no, the young man said he wasn’t willing to jump into the pool,” DuBose said. “Someone pushed him into the pool, so he had to fight for his life.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are the product of people who were pushed. We were moved by injustices, by pain and suffering, by atrocities that we didn't ever imagine.”

Orange Park High was a significant cornerstone to celebrate Black History Month. Ivin Gunder is the county’s first Black principal, and (Destiny Brightman) is the first woman to be an athletic director.

“We have accomplished remarkable things over the last 20 years,” DuBose said. “Who would have thought that when I took a job, I wanted to be one of the first teachers who looked like me? Who would have thought that in such a short while, Mr. Gunder would be one of the first (Black principals) in this county? Who would have thought Ms. Brightman, your athletic director, was the first female academic athletic director?

“We also live in a time where things are weird. We have our fears. Sometimes, we have concerns based on things we see and read. But the truth is, we live in a good place.

“The question is: who pushes the next generation? Every man we honor today in perpetuity said the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. We are living in a time of challenge and controversy. Who are you willing to push?”

The program also included words from Pastor Stan Williams Jr., performances by the school’s Ensemble and Chorus and words from student council president Johnathan Bristol and vice president Bryar Coursey.