Sam McCoy knows what it feels like to have someone in his corner.

The Atlanta Middle School eighth grader can name teachers, coaches, friends and teammates who have encouraged him, helped him through a difficult moment or pushed him to be his best. Increasingly, Sam is becoming that person for others, too.

One of those people is Mrs. Fulce, a teacher Sam remembers for making sure he didn't get discouraged when he struggled.

"One time I didn't do so good on a test, and she asked if I would like to come in so she could help me learn more about it," Sam said. "She likes to involve her kids a lot. She's nice."

He has found that same kind of encouragement in athletics, the place at school where Sam says he feels most at home.

The football team calls itself a "Championship Family," and for Sam, the family part matters as much as what happens on the field.

"The coaches bring us together and try to make us the best we can be," he said. "A lot of these friends I'll go to high school with, and I'll be able to connect with them the rest of my life."

Coach Johnson has been one of the people pushing Sam to grow. Sam appreciates the way he gives players opportunities to try different positions and contribute, but it's the encouragement he remembers most.

"Last year, Coach Johnson just kept leaning on me to be the best I could," Sam said. "He kept encouraging me and helping me outside of practice."

Sam is learning to give some of that encouragement back.

On the football field, that might mean being there for a teammate after a hard tackle. During the school day, friends and teammates sometimes come to him when they need help.

"Any time that I'm down or one of my friends is down, we get to lean on each other and have a better day," he said. "I always try to help the people around me be the best they can."

Sam says middle school has changed him. He's become nicer, more encouraging and more willing to be there for someone who needs him.

That confidence has taken him beyond athletics, too.

For the past two years, Sam has placed in UIL oral reading, an event that puts him alone in front of judges to perform a selected piece using expression and movement. His favorite selection has been "Barn Dance!" by Bill Martin Jr.

"I'm really proud of placing the last two years," he said.

Whether he's standing before UIL judges, lining up with his teammates or making his way through the school day, Sam knows there are people at Atlanta Middle School he can turn to.

"I feel like I can always go to my friends and my teachers," he said.

He wants other students to know they can do the same with him.

If a new student walked into Atlanta Middle School tomorrow, Sam said he'd introduce himself, shake their hand and make sure they knew they had someone to ask for help.

"If they need anything, if they don't know where something is, they can just come to me," he said.

Someday, when his time at Atlanta Middle School is over, Sam hopes people remember two things about him: his smile and the way he encouraged others.

For now, he's happy to be here.

"I'm not nervous about coming to school," Sam said. "It's a thing I enjoy."