Lake Helen Parks and Recreation vice chairman isn't old enough to vote

PHOTO COURTESY PAT CHADWICK
Kickball is back — A boy takes his turn kicking the ball at Mitchell Brothers Sports Complex in Lake Helen during a recent game.

PHOTO COURTESY SEAN ABSHIRE
Future mayor? — Sean Abshire, 16, has done what many adults have not — gotten involved with his local government. A volunteer for the Parks and Recreation committee in Lake Helen, he was appointed vice chairman. The young man is working hard to make a difference, and aspires to run for mayor as soon as he turns 18.

PHOTO COURTESY PAT CHADWICK
High-five — A group of children high-five each other at a recent kickball game in Lake Helen. The city Parks and Recreation vice chairman said the program is so successful in the city, he is thinking about approaching other cities and offering to help establish a West Volusia kickball league.

PHOTO COURTESY PAT CHADWICK
Lining up — Groups of children line up at Mitchell Brothers Sports Complex during a kickball game. There are 40 children signed up to play kickball through the Lake Helen Parks and Recreation committee.

Kickin' it in Lake Helen

By Jennifer Horton
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jun 22, 2009 - 3:46:29pm

Vice Chairman of Parks and Recreation Sean Abshire gave his report to the Lake Helen City Commission June 18.

While that is not out of the ordinary, what is absolutely extraordinary is that Abshire is only 16.

Abshire's most recent project is a kickball league.

The fledgling league has become so successful Abshire's already thinking about approaching other cities to form a West Volusia kickball league.

Did we mention he's 16?

"It started with the McCain/Palin campaign in '08," Abshire said. "I volunteered at the Republican headquarters in DeLand."

That experience sparked an interest in politics that didn't die when the election results came in.

Abshire found himself wanting be be involved.

"I went to the city clerk's office and asked if there were any openings," Abshire said.

On Dec. 4, he was appointed to Lake Helen's Parks and Recreation board. In April, he was appointed vice chairman.

Abshire brought up the idea of a kickball league.

"We decided we would try it, and if it didn't work, we would try something else," he said.

As of May 31, there were four children signed up for kickball. Abshire remained optimistic. And good things happened.

"The first game was June 8. We had 25 children," he said.

Then another 10 showed up. Then another five. The league now has 40 participants and is working to create a third team in Lake Helen.

"My next goal is to go to DeLand, Deltona, Orange City and DeBary and offer our assistance to form a kickball league," Abshire said.

And his goals after that?

"I have intentions of running for mayor when I come of age," he said."

His mom, Theresa, said this is nothing new. Sean, who was home-schooled, graduated from high school last week and will enter Daytona State College as a freshman this fall.

"He's a really great kid," Theresa Abshire said. "I am very proud of him."

Mom said Sean also has been a devoted volunteer at the Lake Helen Boys and Girls Club.

Sean and sister Brooke, 13, are lifelong residents of Lake Helen. The family lives with Theresa Abshire's father, Evan Keesling, a former city commissioner.

Parks and Recreation Chairwoman Betty O'Laughlin said Sean is her right-hand man, and this kickball concept was his baby. But, O'Laughlin said Sean works hard on many other Parks and Recreation projects too.

"He's been a tremendous help with the Fourth of July," O'Laughlin said. Lake Helen has the largest July Fourth celebration in West Volusia.

City Clerk Nancy Wilson chimed in. She said Sean is great.

"Everybody loves him, and he’s done a great job with kickball," she said. "I think a lot of people were surprised about how successful he’s been in registering kids to play."

And, kickball is an awesome sport. It's not expensive; registration costs $5. There is no special equipment, just a T-shirt in the team color.

These financial details are important during times when families are cutting budgets. Not only is it cheap for families, it's cheap for the city — about $60 to set up the league.

"The only thing that the city paid for so far is the first set of kickballs," Abshire said. "We have raised the money for future equipment."

Lake Helen Mayor Joan Duffy said she was leaving a meeting of the Lake Helen Crafty Ladies last year when she bumped into Sean. He asked about the Parks and Recreation Committee. Duffy didn't recall any age limits, so she encouraged him to apply.

"He works harder than any of us," the mayor said.

Duffy acknowledged that ambitious Sean does have his eye on her political post, but he's also said, one day, he'd like to be president.

"He sets his sights high," she said.

Kickball is at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Mitchell Brothers Sports Complex, 679 Pleasant St. in Lake Helen.

For more information about kickball, call Sean Abshire at (386) 316-0580, or e-mail him at sabshire16@yahoo.com.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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