1 week Ago By Jennifer Scott
Athens High School’s BBQ Team is cooking up more than just competition this Saturday — they’re rallying around one of their own. Senior Levi Matlock, who is preparing for a life-saving kidney transplant in December, will be front and center as both a pit master for his team and the beneficiary of a special fundraiser to support his family during his recovery. The cookoff will showcase the talents of local student culinary teams while raising funds through concessions run by the barbecue team, parents, and the community.
“What’s so amazing about Levi is he is going to be at this competition, still being a pit master for his team,” said Lisa Ramsey, culinary arts instructor at Athens High School and the BBQ team faculty advisor. “He will go through dialysis for a night, come off the machine early that morning, and will come straight to barbecue practice to work for the entire day. He is quite the trooper through all of this.
” Athens High School's competitive barbeque team is hosting a cookoff contest at the high school this Saturday. The event serves as a regionals qualifier. (Contributed Photo) The cookoff is set for Saturday from 12 p.
m. to 5 p.m.
at the Athens High School CTE parking lot, 708 E. College St., just north east of Bruce Field.
The competition features several judges and multiple categories: (steak at 1 p.m., chicken at 2 p.
m., ribs at 4 p.m.
and additional specialty categories). In addition to the barbecue competition, concessions will be available throughout the day and benefit Levi. Born with kidney failure, Levi has spent his life navigating challenges that kept him from participating in sports or other physically demanding activities.
However, he found his passion in clubs and culinary arts. “I’ve been trying to join as many clubs as I can..
. over the years I’ve done a lot of numerous clubs, mainly cooking related,” Levi said. “With my health condition.
.. clubs are about the only thing I really have to do.
I started culinary arts in middle school, and I’ve gone through all four years here at the high school.” Levi’s journey hasn’t been easy. His kidney function had steadily declined until last year, when a urinary tract infection caused it to fail entirely, landing him in the hospital for nearly two weeks.
Dialysis has kept him going since then, but his kidney function is now at just 7 percent. “They had to put me on dialysis, which keeps my kidney alive,” Levi said. “It’s gonna do the work for me until I get a transplant.
For the past few months, I’ve just been waiting for a transplant.” Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! Fortunately, Levi didn’t have to wait long, as his older brother stepped up to donate his kidney. After surgery, both brothers will face a two-month recovery period as their bodies heal and are monitored for potential complications, such as infection or organ rejection.
“I’m obviously very happy that I’m getting a kidney,” Levi said. “But I feel pretty bad for him because he just got promoted at his job..
. and also he has a loving girlfriend, and they have a kid together and they have another kid due around my surgery date. So, I feel horrible because I’m taking up his time when he should be there for his girlfriend.
” Their mother will also take time off work to care for both brothers during their recovery. “She has been taking in more hours at work because there’s a little bit of financial stress,” Levi said. “Between paying bills and helping us out in the hospital, she’s going to basically not have a job for two months.
” Levi, who values his independence and rarely asks for help, acknowledges a little support can make a big difference for his family. “I feel weird when people want to help..
. but we need it,” he said. “With my mom working as hard as she is, and my brother needing support also, I want to help as much as I can, or as much as people are willing to help.
” Levi’s mother has created a GoFundMe page to help alleviate the family’s financial stress: gofund.me/d6533af9 . As of Friday afternoon, the entire $5,000 goal was still ahead to be raised.
“My mom is a very strong person,” Levi said. “I appreciate everything she’s done..
. and I’m also appreciative and happy that the school is doing a fundraiser for me. Mrs.
Ramsey is such a great person for putting it together.” Saturday's event will be the team's largest competition to date before state. Through events like this cookoff, students gain hands-on experience in both culinary arts and event management.
For more information, contact Ramsey at [email protected] ..
