B.I.G.D.O.G.S. Host its Fifth Annual Youth Summit at Irving High School

By:  Jackie Hardy, Contributing Writer

B.I.G.D.O.G.S. is a non-profit organization founded by AD Jenkins and his wife Sherrie (Jenkins). The organization hosted the Fifth Annual Youth Summit event at theIrvingHigh Schoolauditorium on April 21.  Jenkins is no stranger within theIrvingcommunity as he has become an integral fixture from the impressive athletic tutoring programs his organization provides. In addition to him having served on the Irving Independent School Board (IISD) as a Trustee (formerly Place 2) along with serving on several committees within the IISD. Jenkins is also currently running for the Place 3 seat in the upcoming May 12 election.

B.I.G.D.O.G.S. stands for Believing in God, Depending on God’s Strength where its mission is to provide athletic (basketball, football, track, and cheerleading) and tutoring programs (math and reading) to youth as well as sponsor educational field trips/events to give youth a positive outlet with the hope of developing students in becoming productive contributors of its community.

A total of eight speakers took to the IrvingHigh Schoolstage to speak on this year’s theme to “Do Right.”  Master of Ceremony and former Dallas Cowboy team member Rocket Ismail opened the discussion by challenging the more than 50 high school students in attendance to remember the importance of dong the basic things (i.e. going to school, studying, etc.) because it is what will empower them to do what is right.

The eight speakers featured four current or past NFL players with two being proud graduates within the Irving ISD consisting of:  free agent Akin Ayodele (MacArthurHigh School), Arizona Cardinals team member Daryl Washington (IrvingHigh School), Dallas Cowboy team member Teddy Williams (JohnTylerHigh School)and U.S. National Bobsled team member Johnny Quinn (University of NorthTexas). Quinn is also a business owner of a web-based service that helps student-athletes market their athletic skills to colleges and universities called The Athlete Watch, LLC.  Other speakers included a formerNimitzHigh Schoolgraduate and local business owner, a law enforcement representative as well as a representative with theTexasSchoolSafetyCenterbased inSan Marcos.

Students were also captivated by speaker Kim McGilvray, who spoke about the agonizing journey her daughter encountered after being hit by a 19 year-old drunk driver.  McGilvray showed photos of the car as well as injuries from the accident in the effort to help bring her message home on the tragedy drinking and driving causes its victims.  McGilvray stressed the importance of having a plan to avoid the deadly tragedy of drinking and driving.  McGilvray claimed more people are killed in one year by drunk driving than the over 10-year period of time US soldiers have been fighting in the war.

“Please don’t get in a car with someone whose been drinking or drive if you have been drinking,” a plea made by McGilvray during the event.

Dwight Stewart, School Safety Specialist forTexasSchoolSafetyCenter, urged the students to make the right choices with respect to how they post their personal information on the Internet or in a text.  Stewart warned this technically savvy generation must be aware of the legal ramifications they could encounter for sexting as outlined in Senate Bill 407. This legislation was signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry in June 2011 and went into effect in September of that same year.

While the message to “Do Right” was the focus, many of the speakers spoke about their faith. They shared how applying Godly principals in their lives have helped them reach their goals.

Ayodele spoke to the significance of community in his life and having a relationship with God.  Ayodele explained how a tragedy helped him began to “understand the importance of not just living in the moment, but to see God’s big picture for your life.”

Quinn spoke on the law of reaping and sowing in where he called it the law of progression.  Quinn explained to the captivated audience the law of progression cycle:  seed, time, and progression.

“Being humble in the beginning leads to rewards in the end.  The seeds you plant today will determine your rewards,” advised Quinn.

“You need to apply the same dedication and drive in the classroom that you do in the weight room.  If you put the work in it will pay off,” suggested Preston Fuller (NimitzHigh School), local business owner specializing in sports training.

Williams expressed how his mother was his hero, teaching him to no let adversity keep him down because God always has a bigger plan.  Williams shared how he made the right choice in submitting to God’s plan for his life and what looked like obstacles were opportunities for God to open doors.  Believe in yourself and be a leader is the charge Williams made to the crowd of mostly young men.

Williams shared his reason for participating in the event was important to him because it allows him the opportunity to give back and Ayodele left the stage reminding the Irving students that success comes from Irving.

“When I was growing up I didn’t have anybody to come talk to me at a school like this, so I always told myself if I ever got to a higher power in life I would come by and talk—talk to the youth…try to help and give them something to look forward to in life,” concludes William in a statement to North Dallas Gazette.

According to ninth grader Rocket Ismail (son of the former Dallas Cowboy Rocket Ismail), to see athletes and people from the community come back and speak to them does have a positive impact and influence in their lives in going forward.

“It is always something I can look back upon when I am in difficult situations and think back on what was said,” commented the younger Ismail.

For more information on how to volunteer or donate, or to learn more about B.I.G.D.O.G.S programs contact AD Jenkins via email at ad@bigdogsyouth.org or visit the website at http://www.bigdogsyouth.org.