Corbin Wilburn is a champ in sports and in life

Here's what Principal Holly Embree said:

The SWRMS Inspirational Award is given each year to the student who has inspired others by demonstrating an effort to do his best in the face of extra challenges or unusual circumstances. We are blessed with an abundance of excellent students at SWRMS who continually and quietly work through difficult situations without complaint. This year’s recipient has inspired fellow students and faculty members with his continued perseverance in the face of adversity.
Being a teenager and dealing with everything middle school throws at you every day is tough enough, but what if you had to face it all with an enduring physical illness? That is just what this young man had to do. With the unwavering support of his parents, older brother, extended family members, church and friends, this young man has kept an optimistic attitude and has never let despair overtake him. The struggles he has undergone has only served to strengthen his faith and moral character. He is respected by faculty, coaches, and peers alike because of his selfless qualities and sense of compassion for others around him.
We have been inspired by the path of this student during his years at our school. He has matured into an extremely personable, witty, intelligent and determined young man. In his future endeavors, he has a desire to make a difference in the lives of others – he has certainly made a difference in ours. We will never forget him.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s recipient of the SWRMS Inspirational Award, Corbin Wilburn.

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August 27, 2010

Roger Whitehead Special to The Randolph Guide The Randolph Guide Fri Aug 27, 2010, 04:56 PM EDT

ASHEBORO — A champion on the courts and ballfield, a champion in school life and, perhaps most importantly, a true champion in tackling life.

That could easily describe young Corbin Wilburn, a dedicated young man who has met life’s challenges and handled them in championship style.

As readers of The Randolph Guide discovered in a feature story about him earlier this year, Wilburn was born with an immune deficiency and spent the early years of his life going to Brenners Children’s Hospital. Later, he was sent to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Recently Wilburn completed another successful venture of summer racing in the All-American Soap Box Derby competition, where he again proved he was a champion.

Facing tough competition, he was among the top finishers in the National Derby Racing (NDR) action. Battling in four heats each day and a total of 14 races, Wilburn showed his skills by losing only one race.

“That was tough, but I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I felt really good, especially since I didn’t lose a heat.”

Wilburn made many new friends along the way as his appealing attitude and true feelings for wanting to help others came shining through. His winning smile and friendly attitude has enabled him to gain new friends from Florida to Ohio.

“He enjoys competition and meeting new friends,” said his mother, Denise Wilburn. “Corbin always gives everything he has, in school, sports or whatever. Facing the many challenges he has endured has helped him in sports and handling life.”

While racing in Florida, Wilburn took first place honors in both elimination races. These races allowed him to rack up enough points to earn another trip to Akron, Ohio, where he competed in the Soap Box Derby Nationals. There, he raced about four times each day, rolling up a first-place finish in his first race.

“That was thrilling,” Corbin said. “It was tough, but it was also fun. Up there the weather plays a lot into how you do in a race. Sometimes the weather helps you, sometimes it works against you.”

Wilburn’s soap box derby racing talents earned him a slot in the top 16 shoot-out and he has earned recognition for a top eight finish in the nation.

“It has been a lot of hard work, but it was worth it,” he said. “I had a great time but I couldn’t have accomplished it without the strong support of my family and friends.”

Wilburn doesn’t just race in the soap box derby. During the past school year when he was a student at Southwestern Randolph Middle School, he was a key member of both the Cougars basketball team and baseball team.

In addition to flashing his skills on the race track this summer, Wilburn has continued to shine on the baseball field as a member of The Storm, a travel league team out of High Point.

“I enjoy having fun like all kids,” he said. “I like competing and I always try to give a 100 percent effort.”

Wilburn has been a battler from the start. Having asthma, he has to keep an inhaler nearby and the recent high heat has caused him to have breathing problems. But he has refused to let those roadblocks get in his way.

Teachers and coaches alike at Southwestern Randolph Middle School continued to remark how Wilburn inspires them with his approach and attitude toward life.

He is not only a shining star in sports, derby racing and life, but he also excels in the classroom. He is a straight A student and was a member of the Cougars Beta Club.

At the close of the past school year, Wilburn was honored for earning the eighth grade Student Scholar Award, an award he also earned in the seventh grade.

Earlier this year doctors diagnosed Wilburn with scoliosis of the spine and he had to be fitted for a special brace he had to wear while sleeping at night. But as mom Denise quickly points out, “Corbin never gives up.”

At the end of the SWRMS school year principal Holly Embree presented Wilburn with the SW Randolph Middle School Inspiration Award (see box for Embree’s comments).

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