His friends know him as D.D.
"I tell everyone on the team because they come up to me and are asking me questions. They say 'D.D. is smart,' if they need help on their homework."
But all should know Devonta Fleetion for more than his nickname.
"I just want to show people that you can work hard in school and be successful on the field," says Fleetion.
And he backs up the talk. He is in line to finish at the top of his class with a 4.1 grade point average.
"For me to be valedictorian and be able to play sports, I really take that with pride for myself. I've really been working hard all four years, not just one."
Fleetion's favorite subject is math. His favorite sport is football, but he plays basketball and track as well. As a junior, he was a regional semi-finalist in the long jump. As a team captain, Fleetion was instrumental in helping the East football program smoothly merge with rival Chaney last fall.
"You have to be very disciplined if you're going to play sports. Discipline is the main key to being successful."
Fleetion is a member of the National Honor Society, Great Expectations tutoring program, and Spanish Club. He is also class secretary. Devonta hopes to play football in college, and plans to major in physical therapy and minor in education.
For his overall success, Devonta - D.D. - Fleetion is our Student Athlete of the Week.