John Sevier Middle School has a diverse student body. Each student has their own unique hobby, some of which serve as the foundation for extracurricular activities. Among all of these hobbies, skateboarding is one of the lesser-known pastimes.

The skate community has grown slowly but steadily thanks to such people as James Gilbert, who is one of the more experienced skaters at Sevier.

“I know multiple tricks, such as a kickflip or an impossible,” he said. “It’s a long process of failing and trying again until you succeed. Skating is all about determination and patience.”

Gilbert has influenced many other students to pick up a board and begin skating. He gained several members for his skate group, such as Eli Hodgeson and Ben Grady. Both have advanced in their never-ending quest to improve themselves and their skating abilities.

“I picked up a board and began skating in the first quarter of 8th grade,” Grady said. “I was interested due to my friends skating and the other capabilities it provided. Skating has given me a new perspective within my everyday life, while also allowing me to travel at a much faster speed than walking.”

Many skaters participate in the hobby because it is fun, but for some, it runs a lot deeper than enjoyment.

“Skating has been a way for me to escape my problems and to forget my worries,” Gilbert said.

Although skating seems harmless and a great way to spend time, some citizens in Kingsport have a problem with skaters. Even if the property is public, many appear to look down on skaters and shun them.

Grady explained that some members of Sevier’s skate community have been chased by homeless people or people who are offended by the presence of skaters.

“People in Kingsport become aggressive or upset when we’re skating,” he said. “We don’t mean to upset anyone, but it happens.”

Although the skaters of Sevier get chased around on public property downtown, they also have a skate park, Scott Adams Skatepark, which a majority of skaters go to if they aren’t downtown

Many skaters prefer Scott Adam’s Skatepark because of the diverse crowd of people who are usually kind and caring.

“While I’ve been at Skatepark, I’ve been able to make a vast variety of friends who share the same hobby of skating,” Grady said.

The diverse group of skaters at Sevier are like anyone else who looks for others with similar interests. Although the skate community of Sevier is much smaller than a regular after-school extracurricular activity, they all have a strong bond and a common interest.

“We as a whole community thrive due to our close bonds and chances of helping one another succeed with skating,” Gilbert said.