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Below is a recap of DSA's soccer and basketball seasons. Both teams worked so hard this year and made it to the playoffs! GO LIONS!
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“This year I saw our soccer team grow not necessarily in ability on the field; however, we grew in that regard, but the most impressive growth was seen in the way that we handled ourselves on the field. We played some teams, one team in particular, that attempted to provoke the worst out of our kids. Despite the attempts, our kids have learned to keep their cool and play with the utmost sportsmanship. This is something that I am extremely proud of our guys for, because my job is not only to teach them how to play the game of soccer, but also how to be Godly, self-respecting young men!” -Connor Altman, Head Soccer Coach
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“The growth from our team this season has been remarkable. At the season's beginning, we were still in a mode of complaining and blaming at different aspects of the games and practices, but each week we started to see less and less of that, and encouragement started to shine through. It is difficult to be a leader, but it is a necessary job that many of our players really sought out as each week passed. By the end of the season, I believe so many leaders broke out of the timidness and really showed characteristics of leaders worth following. I’m proud of our guys and how they grew on and off the court all season. They have a bright future." -Jonathan Albright, Head Basketball Coach
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Gary Dyksterhouse, Chairman of Charity Weekend Event
How you have s een the Charity Weekend evolve over the years? The DSA Charity Weekend has changed and grown in so many ways over the past eleven years that it is almost difficult to answer that question with any sort of brevity. From a financial standpoint, we raised $12,000 for the school our first year. Over the past five years, we have averaged over $100,000 per year that we are able to donate directly towards helping Delta Streets pursue its mission to equip young men spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for life. In total, we have donated just shy of $750,000 since we began!
Over the years we have had so many great leaders of our community take an active part in leading the Charity Weekend. Specifically, the addition of Gray Blocker to the DSA staff, took a massive burden off my shoulders to administrate the weekend (thanks Gray!). We have leaders like Matthew Waldrop, who now runs our golf event, Clint Dunn and Carty Tillman, who run our sporting clay event, and Georgeanne Smith and Sarah Waldrop who head up the Drawdown dinner. Channing Hodges and I can take some of the credit for starting this event, but over the years, it has been people like Michael Jo Cannon, Bo Prestige, the Litton Family, Ray Makamson, Susan Gregory, Jim Osborne, Justin Jefcoat, Trey and Elizabeth O’Brien, Ken Dubard, and so many others who volunteered time, assets, and talent to push this weekend forward. As someone who has been involved in this process for over a decade, it is so encouraging to see faithful community leaders serve in meaningful ways.
Why you believe the event is important for our community? I believe this event is important in two primary ways. The first is pretty simple. Delta Streets has relied upon this money for years to make budget. While the school’s financial shape is significantly better than when we started raising money in 2012, raising $100,000 or more each year to help run the school is extremely significant. It is important to never lose sight of that impact. Secondly, and perhaps just as importantly, this weekend is a tangible way for residents of Greenwood and the surrounding area to give to, participate with, and celebrate Delta Streets for the work that has been done, and continues to be done for the young men of the Mississippi Delta. My primary role at this point for the weekend is to ask people to give up hard earned money to support the school. The generosity of our community is always a little astonishing. As a team we are so grateful for the community response to this weekend, particularly when we see rival businesses joining together in support. If you are one of these businesses, I want to directly thank you for your support over the years and any support you are willing to give in the future!
What impact is DSA making on future generations? Delta Streets is doing the one thing that most human beings are incapable of doing: investing in a long-term outcome. The difficulties of young men in the Delta did not originate overnight and they won’t be solved overnight. DSA is making daily deposits into the future of the young men that walk through its doors. Some of those investments will be lost over time, but for a percentage of the young men, the investments will compound and impact their family name for the next century. Delta Streets is committed to the future of the Delta, and I really enjoy that I am able to be a part of that mission.
Our 12th Annual Charity Weekend is April 28th and 29th. We are so grateful for all the support in the past and welcome your support again this year. The school is growing leaps and bounds, and it is exciting to see what the Lord is doing at Delta Streets through the gifts and donations from our local community. GO LIONS!
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As we wind down winter sports, I want to congratulate our basketball and soccer teams on great seasons. Both teams made it to the playoffs, and both teams were out of the playoffs by the eventual state champion.
The basketball team had its third coach in three years, but responded to Coach Albright and his new program with phenomenal energy. Everything from 6:00 AM workouts to late night practices making sure they could execute exactly what Albright was implementing. With only one senior, we came in second in the district tournament, which eventually matched us up with Tunica Academy who went on to win the state championship a week later. Guys are excited about the foundation set and are looking forward to next season already.
Coming off last year's state championship, the soccer team moved up a classification to play more competitive soccer, and we got what we asked for! Each district game was a must win and you could feel the excitement before each game. At the end of the regular season, we finished second in our district and moved on to the playoffs. Firs t round was a road trip to Lamar, and we pulled out the win in overtime. The next game was back in Greenwood at Pillow Academy, the eventual state champions. The game was played in windy and rainy conditions. The field was an absolute mud pit, and both teams grinded it out to the end. Coach Altman was super proud of the guys and their effort all year.
In both sports, I can honestly say we lived out our mission statement in regard to "a competitive athletic environment." Sports can be such a great arena for social, emotional, and character development. I am thankful for our coaches and volunteers who help make athletics a possibility at DSA!
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DSA is now set up to receive donations through stock transfer!
Please email gblocker@deltastreetsacademy.org with any questions about transferring stock.
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2012 Society
Join the 2012 Society, one of our most popular ways of giving, by donating $20 or more automatically each month from your bank account or credit card. To sign up, visit:
www.deltastreetsacademy.org/give
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