Former Globetrotter, Miss TN share stories to kids
Published 11:15 pm Friday, October 13, 2017
- Star Photo/Curtis Carden Former Harlem Globetrotter John "Jet" Williams joined Miss Tennessee Caty Davis Friday to visit children across the community to share a message of positivity.
John Williams soared through the air to reach his dream. Now he’s encouraging children across the country to do the same.
Williams and Miss Tennessee 2017 Caty Davis spent Friday morning visiting different schools across Elizabethton to promote ethical values and hard work to students in conjunction with a project spearheaded by Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition.
“Everywhere they went, children really enjoyed their presentations,” said Reece, coalition director.
Williams, a former UNC-Asheville standout and Harlem Globetrotter, spent the day talking with students to promote wellness and the ABCs of life – action, bravery and compassion. The former Globetrotter performed different tricks and interacted with students throughout the day, and even had a bit of a slam-dunk showcase for children at the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County.
“Mr. Williams message of wellness is really vital in the values we want to promote with the coalition,” Reece said. “It was great to have him in the community today to share a positive message with children on how they can follow their dreams if they have respect and compassion for others.”
Since stepping away from the Globetrotters, Williams has focused his attention with his own basketball academy in Asheville, North Carolina, dubbed JWB Elite Training.
While focusing on skills to improve on the hardwood, Williams added the goal of the academy is to help train young men and women how to perform well outside the gym, too.
Williams will be back in the area Thursday, Oct. 26, to visit students at Cloudland Elementary. Following the school visit, the community is invited to attend a meet-and-greet with Williams from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Elizabethton Parks & Rec. The event, which will also serve as an ice cream social, will double-down as a fundraiser to help Williams’ upcoming mission project.
Individuals can visit jwbelitetraining.com to learn more about Williams’ academy and story.
Across the aisle, Davis shared her personal story of overcoming addiction within her family.
“Some of the students shared real personal stories with Caty,” Reece said. “Caty’s story of substance abuse in her family really made an impact with children from the area.”
Tackling the problem of drug and substance abuse is a critical issue for Davis.
Miss Tennessee shared her story to the Elizabethton Star Thursday of how addiction has affected her life. Davis’ grandfather battled with alcoholism and lost his life in a vehicle accident when her father was 14 years old. Davis’ father and half-brother also took their own lives while battling with addiction.
“This has been a healing process as much as a changing process for students,” Davis said. “I’ve seen rehab and recovery. I’ve seen relapse … how addiction changes you. My goal is to let them know that if Miss Tennessee can overcome obstacles, so can you. That’s why at each of the schools I want students to know that they can break the cycle and they can follow their dreams.”
The newest ambassador for Count It! Lock It! Drop It! will return the area on Oct. 28 to participate in the coalition’s annual drug take-back event. Citizens can meet Davis between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. along with disposing of unneeded medication.