Giving back to the community one student at a time

Three Warner Robins High School alumni, Kasaun Mims, Billy Sparks and Charles Colbert, along with Warner Robins High School Principal Chris McCook, presented the first annual Community Mentor Scholarship on May 22.

Though the scholarship, in its inaugural year, was only offered at their alma mater (WRHS), Mims, Sparks and Colbert said going forward, the opportunity would be extended to the other schools in the county as well.

The male and female first place recipients of the scholarship—Xavier McIntire, attending Fort Valley State University, and Jayme Thigpen, to attend the University of Georgia—received $500, a laptop, and a college starter pack, consisting of things like a backpack, school supplies and chargers. The male and female runners-up—Rafe Connor, who will attend Western Carolina University, and Bayleigh Foster, accepted to Georgia College and State University—received a tablet in addition to their own starter pack as well.

Mims explained that the scholarship was based more on character than on academics, with Colbert later adding that the target group was really the community as a whole. The application process, Mims explained, was based on questions filled out by applicants, meant to have the applicants tell about themselves. Future plans will have the process taking a change in the direction of applicants giving a two-to five-minute speech, which would tell about themselves. Mims expressed, and Sparks agreed, the reasoning behind this change is the important skill of public speaking, which Mims said that he did not realize until he attended college.

Sparks shared that the three wanted to help kids that think of college as unachievable. The inspiration, the three agreed, stemmed from personal experience. Sparks, a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and holder of a master’s degree in Public Health, informed that growing up, he didn’t have much and dealt with people “counting him out.’’ Sparks also explained that he had been a member of remedial classes throughout his school career.

“I really am passionate, because I never knew I would be where I am today. Even just graduating college, I said one day I would give back to people who are just like me.” Sparks added that without the people he had behind him, he wouldn’t be where he is.

“Just hearing and talking to people; that motivates me the most to get where I am, to let other people know I can do it… Sometimes, I think people just need help; to hear that real life motivation,” Sparks expanded.

Mims, likewise, told a similar tale, which unfolded with Mims not “taking high school seriously,” which resulted in his giving up on the possibility of college his senior year, due to financial issues. Mims then said he joined the military as well, serving for six years, and earning his bachelors degree in the process. Mims is now a cardiovascular therapist.

“It’s important to me to give back. When I was able to leave my environment to join the military, I saw the world in a different light. It really made me go harder; it made me want to make something of myself, and I think it’s important for me to give back to students so that when they get to that next level, then they can start to thrive also.” Mims further noted that this was the basis of the scholarship: to support students and to help them to move on and thrive.

Colbert cited that he, too, had a lack of opportunity, and even in college, he didn’t find himself with scholarship opportunities. Colbert shared that there was a lot of observation of where the weaknesses were in the community and schools.

“One thing that we figured out was extra help financially for students. We wanted to let them know that the community is here for you,” Colbert said.

Sparks recalled that he has had the idea of helping and giving back for almost seven years, but the planning process, with Mims and Colbert has lasted for two. Sparks identified that the process would not have been possible without Mims and Colbert, because when he pitched the idea, they responded, “Don’t talk about it, just do it.”

Mims expressed that Principal McCook was involved in the entire process as well, with Sparks adding that his involvement was really the first step. Mims said that McCook put the three in touch with all of the right people, and was even involved with the presentation of the scholarships. Sparks told that McCook was equally excited for the former Demon football players to come back to the community and give, with Sparks calling McCook the “MVP” of making things happen.

“We were given the opportunity to build that relationship with Mr. McCook and the school on this type of level where it can be a tradition… in the coming years,” Colbert noted. He expanded that in this first year, students were able to tell the three alumni how to help them and give feedback. Colbert added that the first scholarships were motivation to do the next and look even deeper into those areas that the three say need improvement.

On presenting the awards, Sparks said, “It was very rewarding to deliver that [help]. They were really excited, especially seeing the smiles on their faces,” Sparks emoted, sharing in addition that there are a lot of people that really need the help.

Colbert stressed that the community can get involved with the mission by simply showing support: sharing on social media, donating and sponsoring, as well as encouraging youth to apply.

“Just get the word out and let this take over the community, because this can only help the community,” Colbert said, further sharing that the first scholarship came about because the friends knew it was the right thing to do.

“Investing in the community is always the right thing to do,” Colbert proclaimed.

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