I am sure back in high school, you dream about the future. Some people just make those dreams come true. Despite the odds of being a 33rd round draft pick out of Western Carolina, Rutherford County's own Tyler White has persevered.

What started as the search for a building for storage turned into a new career for David Harmon.

High School Sports

All the high school teams are off for spring break this week, but get back to things next week. Although the county sports story of the week happens to deal with the R-S Central/East Rutherford rivalry. Softball and girls soccer were nail bitters last week.

Brian Fletcher and Nicole Struble didn't set out to become farmers. But, a passion for food and finding enjoyment in "playing in dirt" led the couple to growing vegetables and raising trout at Deer Valley Farm.

As a Success Coach at Isothermal Community College, Lisa Courtney wants to help all students to do well and reach their fullest potential. But, sometimes in order to do that, students need interventions beyond help with math or reading. Sometimes barriers to education come in the form of needing childcare, housing or reliable transportation.

High school baseball

East Rutherford (7-1, 4-1) continues to get better and swept all three games they had last week. Kaleb Greene had four RBI in the win over Shelby as East allowed just two runs last week. Both of those were to Shelby.

R-S Central (5-2, 4-1) won both games they had this past week. Of course, they have three games this week and host East Rutherford (3/24) at the end of it. They won't play again until after Easter break on April 5th. Both East Rutherford and R-S Central were in a three-way tie atop the SMAC standings coming into the week.

Chase (4-3, 3-2) is hanging around in the top half of the SMAC, losing their only conference game of the week to R-S Central. They beat North Henderson and lost to East Gaston. They will host East Burke (3/24) and go to Chesnee (3/28). Chase was tied for fourth in the SMAC coming into the week.

Thomas Jefferson (1-5, 0-4) has battled themselves so far in the early season. The inconsistency of pitching, and plaguing of errors have cost them wins so far this season. They average about three errors a game, but Nomi McMullens leads them with seven RBI on the season.

Like many children, Paul Johnson grew up helping his mom in the kitchen. And at an early age, he knew working in culinary arts would be his career.

Rutherford County's Ali Bovender had every intention of going to Africa to make a difference. But what she found was that the change she experienced came from within herself.

Chase, R-S Central, East Rutherford sit second, third and fourth in the SMAC at the moment with one loss each. Chase had two early week home games this week, but come back to the house on 3/24 to face East Burke. R-S Central will host a key game with Kings Mountain on 3/18. East Rutherford's biggest game comes when they host Crest on 3/22.

At 86 years young, Martha Dobbins aims to take on her competitors in a variety of events again this year during the Rutherford County Senior Center's Senior Games.

R-S Central nearly ended up playing for the 2A state title this weekend, but unfortunately fell to front runner East Davidson 49-43 in Greensboro during the final four.

Do you ever think about your fiscal shape in addition to your physical shape? Just as diet and exercise provide longevity, financial planning also helps to provide for your future self.

Sharon Rooks coupons, but she's quick to point out that she isn't an extreme couponer. Instead, she approaches savings in a common sense manner.

One day, in the bus parking lot over R-S Central's High School, I watched football practice. Darius Fuller looked on as well. It was at the start of the football season when I had a talk with R-S Central Women's Basketball Coach Darius Fuller. His cancer in remission and he was excited about the upcoming season for Lady Hilltopper basketball team.

Since Susan Johnson first heard the voice of God, she's dedicated her life to doing His work. Among that work is going with others from Rutherford County to do mission work in Moldova.

Lani Warren and Riley Johnson have been friends for as long as either can remember, and with birthdays just six weeks apart, have always wanted to celebrate with one party.

Four of the top five finishers in the 2016 Daytona 500 were Toyotas, but that's not the whole story.

Christen MacKorell, class president of her Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies cohort, is the first PA student in the state of North Carolina accepted into the North Carolina Medical Society's Leadership College through the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership.

The 2016 Women Together keynote speaker Anita Woodley promises laughter will be a part of her performance. But between laughs, she hopes women will take home the message that early detection is key and that cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence.

Basketball Playoffs

In girls play, before the postseason starts, either R-S Central or East Rutherford will play in the SMAC title game on Friday (2/19) at R-S Central. The two faced off in the SMAC semis on Wednesday for the right to play for the title.

Jimmy Means knew by age 14 that he wanted to be a race car driver, a decision he remembers expressing to his school's driver's education teacher.

Super Bowl

Well, a league leading defense is now 10-2 in the Super Bowl, unfortunately, it wasn't the Panthers who led that category. Denver dealt Carolina a heartbreaking 24-10 loss in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday

Caroline Toney was the girl next door for her husband, Matt.

In October 1976, Jeannie Smith was a 15 year old who was new to the area. In order to meet new people, she said, she joined band and drama at school. During a cast party, she met a "dreamy, but shy" guy who she hit it off with. He began to look for her at school and came to sit with her in the band section during football games.

Whirlwind romances don't always end up in happily-ever-after. But for Scott and Emily Bowers, it did.