The Garland Police Boxing Gym recently held its annual banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the students that participate in the boxing and karate programs. Since 1995, Lieutenant Dave Swavey has run the boxing program and seen countless successes. The lives of many students have been positively impacted.
Passing grades are required for participation and to ensure academic success, retired Garland ISD teacher Ann Noska volunteers her time to tutor the students. She also checks report cards and offers encouragement. No exceptions are made on the passing grades rule.
The kids range in age from kindergarten to high school and receive awards for their sports success, academic achievement, perfect attendance and more.
Two of this year’s standout students, Patricia Ortiz from the karate program and Javier Santillian from the boxing program, graduated with both their high school and community college degrees through a Dallas County Community College District program. Ortiz received a full scholarship to Southern Methodist University along with numerous smaller scholarships.
Swavey has since retired from the police force but still runs the gym. He told about a recent chance meeting between him and a past boxing gym participant who shared that participation in the boxing program as a child had saved his life. The young man reminded 
Swavey that he had written a letter to a judge requesting permission for him to join the program instead of going to jail. That was 18 years ago. Today the young man is married, has a 5-year-old son, is great friends with the judge and has not been in trouble since then.
“It’s because of this program that I can come back and say thank you very much,” the young man said.
Swavey loves for students to come back, no matter their age, to let him, Ms. Noska and the coaches know how they are.
“God touches us in strange ways all the time…I always appreciate the comebacks,” Swavey said. “Come by and tell me how you are and what you’ve done with your life. It makes us…so very proud to say that we actually had a part to play in where you are.”
The karate program, which is run by Judge Robert Beasley, also helps numerous students. The kids in the programs learn their sport along with important life lessons.
Chefs Meika Johnson and Kevin Johnson provided delicious lasagna, chicken alfredo, salad and rolls for dinner. Gym participants were excited to see them at the event because the chefs provide Tuesday night dinners at the gym and they know the food is out of this world!