This week we Take Five with Jimmy Dygos, a senior who plays football and runs track. Jimmy absolutely loves the game of football and being a Highlander means a lot to him. Be sure to go online at westmilfordmessenger.com to read our bonus five with Jimmy. And be sure to come back next week for our next Take Five.
1) How did you get involved with football?
I became involved with football my freshman year in high school. Through elementary school and middle school I played recreational sports like basketball, baseball, and soccer, but I never played a sport that requires so much dedication as football. I also wanted to get in shape and be part of a team that pushed me to meet my goals. So as I entered high school, I signed up for football and began playing a sport that completely changed my life.
2) What would most people be surprised to know about football?
I think most people would be surprised to learn the football is a sport that requires you to be more mentally tough than you are physically tough. Being mentally tough is what pushes you to get into shape and be a better player. You could be a football player that’s 6 feet 5 inches tall and weigh 230 pounds but be a horrible player because it is the mentality of the player that counts. You need that mentality that when you feel tired and get knocked down, you won’t do yourself or your team any good by just laying there. So you need to get up, keep fighting, and help your teammates fight on.
3) What does being a Highlander mean to you?
To me, being a Highlander means being a dedicated, responsible, and honest student. It also means being a selfless and willing volunteer in the community. But most of all I think being a Highlander means being a hard working athlete who pushes himself/herself to reach his goals and to represent the community. I think Highlanders should never settle for anything less than first place and should always push themselves to reach new limits.
4) What do you do with your time when you are not doing football?
When I am not playing football or throwing shot put and discus for the track team, I am either volunteering my time with West Milford Fire Company #6 as a junior firefighter, hanging out with friends, or relaxing at home.
5) Share something no one knows about you.
Something that not that many people know about me is that I really like to dance. A lot of people who don’t know me think I am this very serious kid, but that’s not always true. I like to have fun and I do that by dancing. I have been known to dance with my friend, Patrick, and my girlfriend, Christal, because they enjoy dancing as much as I do. So if you’re around me when a good beat comes on, be prepared to witness something amazing.
Keep dancing, Jimmy! And thanks for being such an asset to the West Milford community. Do you know a young person who should be featured here at Take Five? Volunteer? Athlete? Musician? Just an all -around great kid? Let us know by email njoffice@strausnews.com.
Bonus Five
6) Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration has to be my parents. They have always supported me and pushed me to do certain things that have definitely helped me. They have also always been there for me whether it’s coming to my games or driving me to practices at 6 a.m. My parents have influenced me to challenge myself and also to volunteer in my community and I thank them for that.
7) Who is your favorite teacher of all time and why?
It’s tough to choose one teacher that has really been my most favorite because they have all had a positive impact on my education. They have all taught me something new in the classrooms and on the athletic fields and they all have dedicated their time before and after school to help their students.
8) Name three things you would bring with you if you were on a deserted island.
If I was on a deserted island I would bring a boat, a GPS, and chicken. So this way I can leave the island, know where I am going, and enjoy some tasty chicken along the way.
9) Share a favorite moment with your team.
My most favorite moment with my football team was after we beat Weequahic which was our first win of this season. It was a great feeling because all of the time we have dedicated since the beginning of football camp on Aug. 15 and all the hard work we put into our practices finally paid off with that win. After we won, we were so happy we ran down from the field, slid down the tiny hill by Macopin School, and continued to run as people cheered for us.
10) What is your favorite movie, book or character and why?
My favorite movie or all time has to be “Cinderella Man” with Russell Crowe who plays the boxer Jimmy Braddock. Jimmy has to fight his way back to fame during the Great Depression. This movie is about Jimmy’s desire to make it back to the top even though he couldn’t afford to pay for things like the electricity and heat for his family. Jimmy is the underdog in this movie and he defies what everybody thinks of him when he fights his way to the top. Plus the movie is full of some pretty awesome boxing matches.