Hillgrove Fathers Connect with Kids

Jeff Kingfield is proud of his son Evan’s self-motivation. The freshman at doesn’t need his parents watching over his shoulder to get homework and other tasks done, his father said.

“I just was really proud of him for that,” Kingfield said.

Kingfield was one of five fathers who attended Hillgrove’s first All Pro Dad meeting on Friday morning. The monthly meetings are aimed at giving dads and their children a chance to spend time together and discuss various topics. Kingsfield said he and his son have been looking for things to do together.

“It was just a cool opportunity,” he said of the meeting, which he plans on attending every month.

Hillgrove is one of 149 All Pro Dad chapters in Georgia and is the first high school to have the program in Cobb County. Kerry Steen, vice chairman of Hillgrove’s PTSA, said he wanted to start a chapter at the school after talking to the captain of the chapter at his child’s school.

“I was just trying to get more involvement with dads at Hillgrove,” Steen said. “You always see the moms, but very rarely do you see the dads on a regular basis.”

Team Captain Hiawatha Bethea, who led Friday’s meeting, said he hopes other high schools in the area will start chapters as well.

“Every kid wants more interaction with their parents,” Bethea said. “They might say it, but they do.”

The theme of the November meeting was Thanksgiving, and participants watched a video about being thankful before each father and child paired up to talk over discussion points. While five fathers, including Bethea, attended the inaugural meeting, Bethea said the numbers don’t matter.

“I don’t believe in numbers,” he said. “I believe in foundation. It’s not about where you start. It’s about where you end.”

Hillgrove Principal Robert Shaw said it’s important for all parents to be involved in their children’s lives as strong role models. He thinks the All Pro Dad program will continue to grow at Hillgrove.

“I think, ironically, kids need their parents more in high school than they do in elementary or middle school,” Shaw said. “They have more freedom, and they need more guidance.”

Rod Hester attended the meeting with his daughter, Jordyn. He said he was hesitant about the idea at first because he thought it would be more of a one-way communication. But after participating in the group, he said he liked the interaction.

“It’s always nice when you see folks of a like mind,” Hester said. “You think you’re alone, but you’re not.”

The All Pro Dad meetings are scheduled for the second Friday of every month at 7:15 a.m. in Room 1115.