By Justin Felder - bio | email
SOCASTEE, SC (WMBF) - Socastee High School senior Jaime Lipat is a former star football and lacrosse player and a talented artist. He is also deaf, but he refuses to let that stand in the way of any of his goals.
Lipat played three years for the Braves football team and was a standout defensive end.
"I love hitting," said Lipat. "My favorite is hitting."
Despite his disability, he fit right in with the rest of his team.
"They all love Jaime to death, because he wasn't different," said head football coach Tim Renfrow. "He was deaf, but besides that, nothing changed."
Renfrow added they sometimes used hand signals to communicate, but it was usually not necessary. He also said Donnie Askey, one of Socastee's leaders at defensive tackle, was especially close with Lipat.
Unfortunately, a back injury kept Lipat out of football and lacrosse this season. Hovever, he still considers himself a part of the team.
"My team will always be close to me," said Lipat. "I'll continue to love and encourage them."
Lipat directed his energy into his artwork. He even did a sketch of each of the Braves senior football players represented as animals. One receiver was a cheetah and another lineman was even a rhino.
He hopes to go to Coastal Carolina to study art and become a professional artist. He also wants to work to help his family's native country, the Phillipines, which he recently visited.
Lipat also knows he is an example to other young people facing disabilities.
"I want all special students to not give up," said Lipat. "Continue like I am. Never give up."
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