People tend to pause in their tracks when faced with major disasters. It is paralyzing to lose people you care about, especially family. It permanently alters a person. Some people gain a fresh outlook on life after going through such life-changing experiences. Some people who have survived such tragedies find newfound inspiration to not only keep going, but to succeed in whatever they do.
Introducing Carsyn Griffis, a native of Tallulah Falls who is starting her senior year of high school and is an exceptional swimmer and cross-country runner. She lost both her father and brother in four months in 2021, and she has experienced grief and suffering that few people her age can understand. Carysn’s life is still impacted by the untimely death of her father, Stan, and her 20-year-old brother, Caleb, in a terrible motorcycle accident less than two years after attending Clemson from TFS. It has altered not only what she does but also how she does it. By improving herself and those around her, she preserves their memories.
“I felt like I couldn’t go on with my life after losing my dad and brother,” Carsyn explains. I’m still going and occasionally doing better than before. They are proud of me, I know that. I hope they will always be pleased with me.
She has been trying to be the best version of herself for the past few years, honoring her father and brother in a number of ways. An introspective analysis coupled with a look back provides a bright future for Carsyn. Her brother still serves as an inspiration to her, particularly in the area of sports.A picture of Caleb, Carsyn’s brother, who was killed in a motorbike accident when he was a college student. Tallulah Falls School/Elisha Boggs
Carsyn says, “Caleb has become my greatest influence.” He put a lot of effort into every sport he participated in. He was always trying to improve. My motivation in sports has been to make Dad proud. I frequently want life would move more quickly so I can advance to the next phase, such as college. It took a significant life experience for me to grasp that tomorrow is not assured. Caleb had no regrets in life. He made the most of every moment of each day to serve others or better himself. I aspire to lead a life similar to Caleb’s. He should be proud of whatever I achieve, I hope. To the best of my ability, I continue living my life in an effort to honor him. His words, “I am proud of you,” are something I wish I could hear. He’s proud of me, I have to convince myself until then.
Caleb is credited with introducing Carsyn to cross country and was frequently spotted at the gym around four in the morning.
“He loved running and shoes,” Carsyn continues. He encouraged me to run cross-country because he wanted me to have similar interests as his. At the start of my sixth-grade cross-country season, he scribbled a sticky note on my mirror that read, “Run Fast = Cool Shoes” and “P.S. Run Fast.” To motivate myself to run like him, I now write it on my running shoes.
The message was given to Carsyn. As the Lady Indians achieved a program-best 7th-place finish at the state competition, she was a consistent member of the cross-country squad in 2023, placing third on the team with a time of 24:03, good for 56th overall. After middle school, she had put running on hold for a spell, but she only picked it up again that season. She finished third on the team at state in 2024 (54th overall), as the girls finished in seventh place once more.
“I decided to give it another chance in the summer before my sophomore year,” she adds. We were eligible to go to state. I gave the state meet my all, keeping my brother in mind the entire time. I set a personal record at the end of the race. My brother would be really proud of me, I knew.Carsyn with the sticky notes her brother Caleb left her at the beginning of her sixth-grade cross-country season. The notes are now laminated. Tallulah Falls School/Elisha Boggs
Cherish time
She has performed admirably in cross country, but her swimming skills are perhaps even superior. She was a key member of the State Championship squad from the previous year, anchoring the 200 Medley Relay team and placing third in the 500 Free and fourth in the 200 Free. The school and GIAA State Championship records are set by the 200 Medley Relay’s timing of 1:49.19 at the state level.
Relays are my favorite aspect of swimming. Competing in the relays is enjoyable because you have to cooperate with others to achieve a common objective. I enjoy listening to the applause from the audience when we’re done. Setting the school record is my best memory. We also came extremely close to setting another school record. One more swim memory has stayed with me. I’ve been a swimmer for seven years. My objective was to obtain a qualifying time for an individual state cut when I graduated from high school. I missed the time by.01 seconds during my freshman year. Then returned the following year, eager to get that moment. I had put forth a lot of effort. I received two state cuts in addition to one. I will always remember the moment I looked at the scoreboard.
Last season, Carsyn made it to the 100 Free and 100 Back. She was recognized by the Georgia High School Swimming Coaches Association as a member of the 2nd Team All-State. The future collegiate swimmer, who plans to become an occupational therapist, has mastered time management. Whether in the classroom, on the course, in the pool, as a leader in an FCA Huddle, or somewhere else, that discipline is evident. She values time.
She tells herself to cherish time. One thing you can never get back is time. I frequently get flashbacks and long to return. We must focus on the future, even though it is simple to linger on the past.
In order to appreciate the enjoyable moments, it is sometimes necessary to slow down life. Carsyn contributes to the swim team’s enjoyment of Fun Fridays all season long.
We make teamwork a part of enjoyable activities or contests, she says. We had to devise a coordinated swimming program one year. My group performed entertaining little tricks and kicks. We observed other groups and their concepts. We chuckled at one other’s performances and our own ideas. Two years later, our crew still chuckles over this experience.
Carsyn has been greatly influenced by Tallulah Falls, but she has more than reciprocated, creating lifelong friendships and memories.
A family is provided by TFS. It seems like a family and is a community unlike any other. My friendships have evolved to be like family. For the community and education, my family decided on TFS.
Tamara Griffis, the student support and media specialist and swim team head coach, is Carsyn’s mother. Caden graduated in 2020, and Caleb graduated in 2021. In 2021, the family established the Caleb Griffis Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which provides financial aid to deserving ROTC students at Clemson University and grants scholarships at TFS.(Submitted photo)
Carsyn continues, “The Memorial Foundation means carrying his legacy on.” Caleb gave joy and lead a lot of people to Jesus. He had the ability to illuminate any space he entered. As a captain of several teams in high school and a squad leader at Clemson University in ROTC, he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. Caleb liked helping people, so our family decided to do that. It implies that we can tell others about him. At TFS, we seek out individuals like him to give the scholarship. We seek leaders that put forth a lot of effort on the field or court as well as in the classroom. We are so grateful for this scholarship, and I hope others feel the same way. I hope that others will be able to shine as brightly as Caleb did. We hope he will always be remembered.
The first Fidelis Militus 5K was conducted on the TFS cross-country course seven months after his death.
Since Caleb devoted countless hours to training on this course, it seemed appropriate to host our yearly 5K at his home course. Fidelis Militus means “faithful soldier” in Latin. Since its inception, this has served as the foundation’s motto. Our goal statement emphasizes helping aspiring leaders and soldiers overcome the most difficult challenges in life.
Carsyn Griffis also has the title of Fidelis Militus, as does Caleb.
