Former Houston Texans player and FBISD Alumni Devard Darling recently awarded college scholarships to deserving students through his As One Foundation.
The $1,000 scholarships were awarded to ten Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) high school seniors at the 10th Annual Devard & Devaughn Darling Scholarship Award Ceremony at Center Stage Art Gallery, in Sugar Land, Texas.
The As One Foundation was established in 2007 by Devard Darling, an NFL wide receiver, in memory of his twin brother, Devaughn Darling, with the mission to unlock and unleash the full potential of youth while encouraging them to achieve their dreams in the face of life challenges.
Since Devaughn’s tragic death during a pre-season conditioning workout at Florida State University due to sickle cell trait exertion, the mission later became to educate and increase awareness of sickle cell trait while encouraging youth to achieve their dreams in the face of life challenges. The Devard & Devaughn Darling Scholarship Awards is Darling’s way of turning the loss of his identical twin brother, into something positive. It’s also a way to say thank you to the people who helped them both succeed as student-athletes.
Devard Darling, As One Founder and Scholarship Recipient Alice Opiyo
“I just know Devaughn is smiling down to know we’ve awarded $100,000 in scholarships in these first ten years of the As One Foundation,” says Darling. “It is so important to show these young people they are worth our time and money. So many did that for me and my brother, now this is my chance to pay it forward.”
The As One Foundation takes its name from the fact that the doctor had been hearing two hearts beating As One while their mother carried them, unaware she was having twins. Devard lived on to fulfill his and his brother’s shared dream to play professional football and to give back to both their homes – Houston, Texas and their native Bahamas.
The 2018 Scholarship recipients are: Tyra James, Kyser Lim, Baylee Suzanne Redmond and Robert Wilson of Austin High School; Jane Akwitti, Samantha Alarcon and Wade Freeman III of Bush High School; Alice Opiyo of Clements High School; Oluwatoni Ajala of Dulles High School and Camden Kelly of Elkins High School.
This past week, Legends Do Live partnered with Fort Bend ISD to host their first-ever Senior Fest 2018 in Missouri City, Texas at Hightower High School.
Senior Fest is an annual event that focuses on preparing high school graduating seniors for life after high school by providing workshops, financial enrichment classes, scholarship awards (over $60,000 in scholarship raised in previous years), and free concert tickets, to promote a positive lifestyle after high school graduation while still enjoying things that youth are excited about.
Legends Do Live founders, Jarren Small and Douglas Johnson, chose to collaborate with Fort Bend ISD this year in what they refer to as the “Livest” end of the school year event and the hottest ticket in town. The two-day event featured a Senior Luncheon; an All-Star Scholarship Basketball Game, Decision Day; and an Empowerment Forum & Concert.
Legends Do Live is a non-profit organization that focuses on inner-city youth by providing and promoting ways to become accomplished youth, through partnerships, strategic planning, self-esteem building and interactive events. Legends Do Live also provides networking opportunities that cultivate individual gifts and that produces positive youth contributors by focusing on celebrating high school seniors and equipping them with the necessary tools to graduate.
“The kids aren’t the future, they are right now,” said Small. “So many people forget include the individuals who are affected most during this critical time, which are the students. Legends Do Live puts this event on because we were once those kids who needed that push and guidance from our younger peers. We are excited to encourage the youth to continue moving forward.”
On Thursday, May 24, hundreds of graduating seniors got to enjoy complimentary lunch as they geared up for Decision Day, where the seniors decide which college they want to attend. Seniors got to hear from several key speakers during a pep-rally style session in the Hightower auditorium featuring former Houston Texans player Wade Smith, former NFL player Herbert Taylor, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Missouri City Council Member Jeffrey L. Boney, Blake Simon, Ja’Leah Davis and many more.
Later that evening, Hightower High School hosted an All-Star Scholarship Basketball Game featuring a cast of student All-Stars. Proceeds from the game went towards scholarships for four special students where they were announced during halftime of the game.
On Friday, May 25, seniors attended a power-packed Empowerment Forum featuring keynote speaker Ron “Boss” Everline, personal fitness trainer to Award-winning actor and comedian, Kevin Hart, and a cast of young panelists from various professional backgrounds.
Everline has made personal fitness and training his life’s work. He trained for the royal family throughout Europe, Africa and the United Arab Emirates. His celebrity client list also includes Grammy-award winning R&B artist and actor Ne-Yo; singer, actress and host Christina Milian; former Cheetah Girl and star of “Empire Girls” Adrienne Bailon; and R&B artist and actor Trey Songz, to name a few. The Senior Fest 2018 Concert, in conjunction with Island Def Jam Records and Radio One- 97.9 The Box, featured performances from Rocky Banks, Bobby Session, Tim Woods, and student performer, Jessica Baines.
For Small, he states that Legends Do Live looks to change today’s urban landscape by fostering a generation of higher social awareness, strong intellectual pursuits, and constant economic success.
“Every individual possess the ability to make a difference in this world,” said Small. “Our goal is to merely motivate today’s youth to use their gifts, live life to the fullest, and leave a lasting legacy. Though strong collaborations we understand that if we dedicate ourselves to the advancement of our generation, we will not only be remembered but we will never die. We will be Legendary.”
For more information about Legends Do Live and to become a sponsor for future events, please visit their website at Legendsdolive.com.
Dj Young Streetz, Ron “Boss” Everline, Ja’Leah Davis and Legends Do Live Co-Founder Jarren Small
Legends Do Live Founder Jarren Small, Ridge Point student, Ridge Point Principal Leonard Brogan, Hightower students, and Hightower Principal John Montelongo and Founder Douglas Johnson
