Not many high school students these days can say they are attending the same high school that their parents attended. Shelby Hamilton, freshman, is one of those few people that can say that as she walks the halls of Athens Drive High School. Shelby is not just carrying on her family tradition of attending Athens, but also she also plays on the JV softball team, carrying on the tradition of being a student athlete.

“It is fun to be able to play softball for the same school my dad and uncle played baseball for. I feel like I’m following in their footsteps,” said Shelby.

Shelby grew up playing baseball with her family. Her dad, Jason Hamilton, was not only a four- year Varsity starter for football as the team’s quarterback, but also was a four- year starter for baseball. After graduating from Athens, Jason Hamilton went to play baseball for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on a scholarship.

“I played softball on a team once when I was ten, but I have always played with my family,” said Shelby.

Josh Hamilton, a professional baseball player, is Shelby’s uncle and is well- known at Athens for his time on the baseball field. In 1999, Josh was the first overall pick for the Major League Baseball draft and is currently playing as an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Many people recognize Shelby’s last name and expect her to be just as good of an athlete as her relatives.

“People always ask me, are you Josh Hamilton’s niece? It adds pressure, so whenever I mess up I get really down on myself,” said Shelby.

All of this recognition can be a little intimidating and adds intense pressure on the field. This pressure does not necessarily come from her parents but rather her grandparents. Shelby deals with the pressure by trying her hardest to push it aside by not thinking about it.

“I try not to think about the pressure, but I feel the most pressure from my grandparents,” said Shelby.

Coming from an athletic family in the long run it actually helps Shelby. This is because her dad and uncle are able to give her tips to help her improve as a player. The other girls on the softball team also help Shelby by encouraging her when she makes a mistake.

“Every day after my practice or game, I go and practice with my dad and he gives me tips,” said Shelby.

Shelby loves playing softball and hopes to one day get a scholarship for college to play softball just like her dad did for baseball.