The two different sides of A.J. Florence
By Mike Butler
Rogue Adviser
Around the David G. Millen Middle School campus, eighth-grader A.J. Florence is a gentle giant.
Whether giving tours to new sixth graders as part of a WEB leader, high-fiving teachers, encouraging or uplifting teammates or assisting his friends with challenging assignments to improve their grades in the classroom, A.J. Florence always does things with a smiling face and serving attitude.
But beware.
He’s not so friendly and kind to opponents of the athletic field or court..
Watch Florence either dicing up lineman or pummeling quarterbacks on the gridiron, posting up defenders on the basketball court or currently hammering home vicious serves or sonic-booming spikes on the DGM volleyball court, and you’ll see a total different Florence that smiles around the DGM campus.
“I definitely love spiking the best,” Florence said. “It feels like you are slam dunking and it’s very exciting. It gets the crowd pumped up and the whole gym starts cheering. It also gets your teammates pumped up.”
Besides helping DGM claim both the Palmdale Promise League and the Tri-District League volleyball championships, Florence was also named the tournament MVP of both.
Florence doesn’t just excel on the volleyball court. He is currently a defensive tackle and offensive lineman for the Highland youth football Bulldogs 13-14-year old team.
Then once the weather gets colder and the leaves have fallen, Florence trades in his football helmet for high tops and round ball and will try and lead DGM to a basketball title.
In the spring brings sports four and five as Florence balances baseball and hurling shot puts for the DGM track team.
But the five-sport athlete just doesn’t excel in the field, court and diamond, as the friendly eighth-grader also maintains a 3.7 GPA in the classroom.
“Being in sports makes me manage my time better,” said Florence. “You have to use your time wisely. I try to get my work done in study hall, in my electives or early in the morning.”
So which sport is his favorite to play?
“My favorite would have to be football” Florence said. “It is the one place you are allowed to be mad.”
And don’t even think about poking the bear.
“One time I got really mad against the Lancaster Eagles,” he said. “They made me really angry. The refs were bad. They just got in my head and I had to take it out on the other team.”
Both on and off the field Florence considers himself a leader.
“I feel I am a leader in the way I talk and encourage others,” he said. “I feel I am a people person and get along with everyone.
“One time a friendneeded help in math, and it felt really good to help him learn the concept. It made me think about becoming a teacher.”
Even though football is his favorite sport, an epic comeback in basketball against Tropico is his fondest sports memory.
“We were losing really bad, and then we came back and won the game by three points. It was very exciting when we all celebrated and a very enjoyable moment.”
What advice would Florence give to students to be successful in school?
“I know when it is time to play and when it is time to work. Pay attention and take school seriously. Also, be sure to ask teachers to explain if you don’t understand something.”
Florence isn’t the only one in his family who is at David G. Millen.
A.J.’s dad, Anthony Florence, Sr., is an eighth-grader English teacher, girls basketball coach and African American Heritage elective class.
Is it hard having your dad as a teacher on campus?
“Honestly, it’s not bad having him on campus,” A.J. said. “He’s cool and only gets on me when I am not doing well in a class. He’s not mean or strict and only gets on me when I mess up.”
Florence’s teachers had nothing but the utmost praise of him.
“A.J. has made a strong presence as a WEB leader at our school,” said WEB adviser Milagros Gaspar. “He is always welcoming and encouraging to sixth graders to get involved with school activities by demonstrating leadership qualities. He is positive and a consistent leader.
History teacher Logan Fitch is impressed with the way Florence attacks assignments like he does quarterbacks or volleyballs.
“A.J. is highly driven and wants to be successful,” said Fitch. “If he wants something he is going to get it. He is a good leader by example.”
English teacher Jana Carlson said he leads by example.
“He has a positive attitude and is a good role model,” Carlson said. “He is a good role model, and he is very respectfully.
Volleyball coach Keith Eisenmenger praises Florence for what he does on the court.
“He is very coachable and athletic,” Eisenmenger said. “He also has great knowledge of the game.”
With only one more year, and a handful of sports seasons left, what is Florence’s plan in high school?
“I would really like to pursue baseball, basketball, football and track,” Florence said. “And then my junior year I would probably only focus on one – maybe two sports.”
And beyond high school?
“I definitely would like to go to college,” he said. “I don’t know where.
“I would like to either be a professional athlete or a teacher.”
And based on how he excels and leads in both the court and the classroom there is no doubt he would be great at either one.