“Give all that you can and give back.”
Charles Jefferson “C.J.” Spraggins Jr. calls this a life maxim, one that was imparted to him during his years as a student at Buford High School.
“The Buford High School program instills in its students a drive for personal excellence and encourages humility through community support,” Spraggins said.
The Buford resident and founding member of Spraggins Law Firm in Lawrenceville is actively involved in his local community. Spraggins is a member of the Buford Business Alliance, and his law firm sponsors both a Buford High School football player and a baseball player every school year. His law firm also supports the North Gwinnett Co-op, a ministry based in Buford that provides food, clothing, financial assistance and spiritual support to those in need in the surrounding areas.
Spraggins is a Buford “lifetimer,” having attended Buford City Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Buford High School has always pushed its students and faculty to excel in the arts, academics, and athletics, as well as to support the Buford Community,” Spraggins said. “When I was in school, we were encouraged to participate in all three areas.”
In the area of sports, Spraggins was a varsity wrestler. He excelled in arts as a member of the Bel Canto Chorale and quartet and was selected to perform with Honors Chorus and with All-State Chorus. In the area of academic excellence, Spraggins was an honor graduate. He was also junior and senior class president.
Spraggins’ fondest memory from high school is his graduation.
“Graduating with all of the kids I grew up with celebrated by the Community in which I grew up,” Spraggins said. “It was nice to see that we all made it … together.”
Following his graduation in 1994, Spraggins attended the Georgia Institute of Technology with plans to major in electrical engineering.
“I changed course after two and a half years, dissuaded that engineering was for me,” Spraggins said.
He then enrolled in the Georgia State University School of Music and obtained a degree in music business and a minor in marketing. After taking a few years off to travel the world, he returned to Georgia State University’s College of Law and graduated in 2006.
“I immediately took the New York bar and moved to New York City to swim with the sharks, so to speak,” Spraggins said. “The experience was very rewarding, opening my eyes to the world. Don’t worry, a country boy, or girl, can survive.”
A life-long student of martial arts, Spraggins studies Brazilian Jujitsu with Norman Bignall at Underground Martial Arts in downtown Buford. His interests include travel.
“I travel as much, and as often, as I am able,” Spraggins said. “The next few years will be about visiting geological and natural wonders.”
Spraggins is the son of Jeff and Carolyn Spraggins. He has a younger brother named Nathaniel.
The Buford High School alumni spotlights are made possible by the generosity of the City of Buford.
