On the night of June 2 students of the Garland Police Boxing Gym swapped their athletic gear for dress shirts, elegant dresses and wide smiles at an annual banquet to celebrate a local outreach program for kids. Created 20 years ago by Lieutenant Dave Swavey, this program acts as a positive after school activity to children of all ages. It provides boxing and karate lessons; each student is assigned to a specific coach that will help them to hone their technique.
According to Ann Noska, the head of academic operations, students are able to receive academic help any day of the week; she runs tutoring sessions the “old school way” which means that cell phones are put away and the only objective in the classroom is to succeed in school.
Students were called up to receive senior, academic achievement, and attendance awards. Children as young as five-years-old, toddled to the podium to accept awards and receive congratulatory handshakes from their mentors. It was obvious from the tight hugs and warm smiles that each and every mentor has made a connection to their student. However, the coaches and tutors not only care for these kids, they admire them.
“The dedication that these kids perform and participate with every day is absolutely unbelievable. I was a ten-year-old kid once, and I can’t imagine what it’s like to train as hard as they do every single day,” Lieutenant Swavey said.
Each and every adviser holds high hopes for the pupils and they didn’t disappoint. In the karate program six students achieved a place on the A honor roll, 22 were on the B honor roll, and 16 had perfect attendance throughout the school year. The boxing program successfully noted that 50 of their students had attained academic excellence and 42 had perfect attendance.
Most notably, Nicole Aviles, one of the many trainees, will be boxing at the 2015 Junior Olympics.
Boxing is commonly thought of as a violent sport. In fact, it is almost shocking to think that a child that stands shorter than four feet tall could possibly learn to box. Yet the community must realize that this program provides a sense of discipline, support and passion for any child in Garland. Yes, it is a sport with risk, but the tremendous benefit to the lives of children is laudable and cannot be denied.
Noska said it best, “This program touches kids’ lives in a positive way. Not only does it instill a sense of value in education in them, but the drive to become a better citizen and be a part of society that does their part.”