Every year, the Friends of South organization – made up of parents and community members who have a common goal to raise money to support South students and staff – selects new inductees for the Axe Hall of Fame. They do this to celebrate the accomplishments of South alumni and inspire students by showing them examples of dedication, teamwork, and success. It helps us to recognize the amazing alumni achievement in the arts, academics, business, public service, athletic achievement, and coaching that has helped form the history and culture of South Eugene High School. These people are community leaders who represent the dedication, character, and achievements of the highest levels at South. 

Saturday, Feb. 22, will mark the 13th year of the event and will include this year’s banquet at the ceremony. It will be a night full of fun, including a reception, a silent auction, entertainment, and a dinner starting at 6 p.m. Friends of South will be honoring alumni and raising money to support South Eugene High School. This year they have a goal to raise $25,000, and so far they have raised $16,494. The Axe Hall of Fame hopes to inspire students with the many accomplishments of alumni and raise money for different needs across the school. In efforts to fundraise, sponsored tables will be available to people and directed to the club or team of people’s choice. 
By Sofia Bell

Frank Lawson was a student in the class of 1979 at South Eugene High School. He is a three-time all-conference goal keeper, three-time all-district selection, and three-time team MVP. Lawson will be the third goalie to be inducted into the Axe Hall of Fame, on February 22. Lawson always wanted to be a professional athlete, the sport always changing based on the current season. However, he did not become a goalie until high school. 

Lawson had been in front of the net on a few occasions during his time at Roosevelt middle school. It wasn’t until he joined the soccer team in high school that he really started to work on becoming a goalie. 

“My first day of practice, my position coach, Gary Sumnall, tossed me that ball and shook his head in disgust when I caught it like I was playing basketball,” Lawson recalled. It took time and hard work, but he eventually became the amazing goalie that we know him as today. 

“Only because of my coaching and teammates was I able to become more proficient at the position,” he stated. 

Currently, Lawson is the CEO of the Eugene Water and Electric Board, or EWEB. When he was in high school, his teachers helped him to realize that not only did he have a passion for sports, but he had a passion for engineering as well. 

“My physics and drafting teachers got me interested in architecture, mechanical design, which eventually led to my enrollment in engineering.” Lawson stated. He went on to graduate from OSU and moved to San Diego where he worked for a company that specialized in industrial controls and robotics. This job allowed Lawson to learn more and grow as a person and engineer. He gained much experience and eventually made it to where he is today. After graduating from South, Lawson said that the accomplishment he is most proud of was having the opportunity to develop many special relations with family, colleagues, and friends, along with traveling throughout the world.

When asked what advice he would give to highschoolers at South, he replied, “Work ethic is critical to success and happiness however you define it. Most things that are worthwhile don’t come with instant gratification, which means the journey will become the motivation and is what you will eventually enjoy the most. Success is not mutually exclusive, so enjoy others’ success along the way. Listen and keep learning – I never learn much when I’m doing the talking.”  

He also said, “My experience at South, including participating in sports, has helped me with all of my jobs throughout my career. Understanding the balance between personal accountability and teamwork is critical in sports and a career. Also, learning that winning or losing is the outcome of a longer process helps develop good habits and perspective.”

We can learn a lot from the people who have come before us, they have paved a way for us. And if we can stop to listen to their stories, we may just learn a lesson that could help us along the way. Frank Lawson is an amazing athlete who has worked very hard to get to where he is today. 

“I am honored to be inducted into the Axe HOF,” Lawson said, “primarily because it will give me a formal opportunity to thank the many coaches, teammates, classmates and friends, who have made my experience and SEHS so special.”

Read more about Frank Lawson on the Friends of South website.

Article by Noa Gitelson