“Through struggle, comes strength” is written on the wall of the Rocky Mount weight room. It’s a message that resonates with senior Isaiah Silver.

“I came a long way,” Silver said. “I started off real small got my weight up.”

From a small freshman to a football, baseball and track star, Isaiah has had an impressive journey with the Gryphons.

“Incredible work ethic,” Rocky Mount head football coach Jason Battle said. “Has always been committed for four years doing what we need him to do. Working to get better daily.”

Isaiah played running back, receiver, defensive back and special teams for the Gryphons who lost to state runner up Seventy-First in the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs. He’s a shining example of what hard work can do.

“Not taking days off, always training,” Isaiah said. “When I didn’t have practice go and hit the field.”

Next fall he’ll play football for Fayetteville State University. As he sets up a squat rack in the Rocky Mount weight room it all sets in that the end of one journey is here and another is about to start.

“Feels weird,” Isaiah said. “When the team is in here lifting, it’s dang, I don’t have another year.”

For Isaiah the real work is only just beginning.

“I have a lot I’ve got to do,” Isaiah said. “I’m not done yet.”

For his work in the classroom, community and in athletics Isaiah earned WRAL’s Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.

“It just let me know, never stop working,” Isaiah said.