No greater love: Fellow student conveys the love & respect shared by Beaver Rice and his star athlete daughter Cassidy
Editor's Note: Only weeks before Du Quoin school board member Beaver Rice's death, Camille Tracy, a friend and fellow student of Cassidy Rice--Beaver Rice's daughter--wrote this story at Georgia College, where Cassidy attends school. It is telling in that this father and daughter truly made an impression at Georgia College.
--John H. Croessman
A Leap of Faith to the Peach State
When she walks into a room, she gets attention. It's not because of her outrageously daring wardrobe or her Barbiesque appearance. People turn heads because they know, the moment she opens her mouth, that she "ain't from around here."
Du Quoin, Illinois, is home to Cassidy Rice, a sophomore Exercise Science major at Georgia College. For starters, Du Quoin, is pronounced "doo-koyn" and is located in Southern Illinois, about an hour and a half outside St. Louis, Missouri. It is a small farming town of just under 6,000.
"There are no words to describe how different life is in the South," Rice said. "Where I am from, people, lifestyles and just the environments are nowhere near the same."
Before moving to Georgia, Rice had never referred to adults as 'ma'am' and 'sir'. "It has been a huge adjustment for me trying to be as respectful as I can," she said.
But disrespect never crosses the mind of those who get to know Rice.
Her work ethic and drive are unmatched because she is experiencing college completely on her own. This has allowed her individuality to shine, which is definitely seen in her fashion choices.
"When I shop, I go for the most ridiculous thing in the store," she said. "If I see something unique, I try it on. I want to see how I can make it work. It's fun to be different," Rice said.
There are many wonderful parts of being self-reliant and independent, but what Rice faces every day is challenging.
"Living 10 hours away, I have to manage my money and control my emotions so homesickness doesn't affect my schoolwork or performance on the softball field," Rice said.
That's right, folks. On top of her drastic move, Rice is on the varsity softball team, battling daily to be the starting pitcher for the Bobcats.
Rice has become close with her teammates' families, but it's just not the same as seeing her family, friends and boyfriend in the stands cheering her on.
These loved ones at home in Du Quoin miss her just as desperately.
"Cass and I had a special relationship that you don't see many fathers and daughters share," said Charles "Beaver" Rice, her father. "She was the one person I could go to that would always tell me it was going to be okay," he said.
The two were inseparable.
"Anywhere I went, Cass went with me. We literally spent so much time together."
Whether it was going to sporting events, out to eat, taking a drive or getting an ice cream, Beaver Rice could always count on her to join him.
Now, times have obviously changed. Rice is only able to see her mom and dad a handful of times a school year.
"My mom has been a backbone to everything I've done," Rice said. "She has supported me through it all. But my dad, my dad and I just have so much more in common when it comes to what we love and enjoy to do."
Beaver Rice agrees.
"Having Cass away from home has been the hardest thing I have ever been through," he said. "I was her biggest fan and even though I can't be there for her every day, I always will be."
Among the activities the two shared, volunteering for the Special Olympics was most meaningful. Cassidy Rice said her favorite memory was with a little boy named Dakota.
"He said a few words that will be in my heart forever: 'Cassidy, thank you for making me a champion!'"
To some that may not mean much, but to Cassidy Rice, it meant the world. It meant that she too could do the impossible. She could move 600 miles away from home.
The Special Olympics allowed her character to shine. "It was such a blessing to be able to say, 'That's my daughter,'" Beaver Rice said.
When asked about her future, Cassidy Rice has every intention of permanent life in the South one day.
"I love it here," she said. "I am learning so much more about myself than I ever knew. My advice to people thinking about moving away is to do it!" Rice said.
"You always have a chance to go home, but the opportunity to experience something new is very rare. Branch out. Live a challenging and fun-filled life. Make memories you can share with everyone at home. Be yourself! Live on the edge!"
Rest assured, Cassidy Rice is definitely one to practice what she preaches.
About Cassidy Rice...
<p>Cassidy played under Du Quoin coach Jason James ... MVP all four years ... Four time All-Conference ... Three time All-State ... Two time First Team All-State ... Made Regional Championship three years ... Made Sectionals her junior year ... Also lettered in volleyball and basketball ... High honors all four years.</p>
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<p>Personal: Favorite athlete is Monica Abbott ... Chose Georgia College because it is going to give her a chance to pursue her dream of playing college softball and it will be a challenge she has never faced being so far away from home ... Lists her biggest sports thrill as playing for the sectional championship against their biggest rival her junior year of high school ... Her superstition is if the team wins, she always tries to wear the exact same thing as that game and if they lose, she just changes one thing ... Beatles scare her the most ... Favorite song is "Then" by Brad Paisley, movie is The Blind Side, TV show is Criminal Minds ... Lives by the motto "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."</p>