Thomas Fillion*

Gold and Black is a simple but tragic story about Carly Edwards, an all-state cross-country runner at Plant High School, a prestigious high school in Tampa. Gold and black are the school colors.

She is one of the best students and athletes the school has ever marshaled through its doors. She has accomplished much even though her father is an unsuccessful roofer and her mother is a recovering, bedridden alcoholic. Stanford University beckons the following year with a full scholarship because of her accomplishments

Carly's friends are numerous. Her best friend is Amy Wheaton. She is the privileged daughter of a doctor and his wife, Dorothy Wheaton. Dorothy Wheaton is an ambitious federal judge who is intent on securing a United States Senate seat that is vacant.

It is homecoming week of her senior year when Carly's tragedy unfolds. She is caught up in the excitement of homecoming at a school that she loves. Several events occur, events that normally should not happen, that crystallize into Amy Wheaton's death and Carly's tragedy.

This is a powerful story recommended for all teenagers and their parents who are interested in not making destructive decisions with alcohol.

*Thomas Fillion was a private tutor for Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys. Nick was in ninth grade at the time.