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All the way home for Faion Hicks, Son of the Soil makes it to the NFL & Denver Broncos

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, July 25, 2022 – You have the potential if you work hard was the underlying message in last week’s motivational speech courtesy of American-TCI NFL player Faion Hicks.     After being drafted in April, Faion and his mother Schevette Glinton, a South Caicos native, wasted no time reaching out to the TCI Sports Commission for a chance to share his wisdom with the hope that budding Turks and Caicos residents could make it to the top as well.

Despite this being his first trip to the Turks and Caicos, his loyalty to his cultural home is high and Faion brought along his agent Sandy Cornelio with the hope of setting up even more opportunities for TCI youngsters.

The pair paid a courtesy call on the Office of the Premier and met with Washington Misick, TCI Premier, several ministers including for Sport and the Sports Commission about the range of options in programs.

Saturday July 16 was, however, his main event:  My Journey to a Pro.  He took the time out to tell his story to the gathered athletes and well-wishers.

THE VALUE OF EDUCATION

“Growing up, sports was always an outlet for me just being outside and competing. I started playing football when I was about nine so I started late. For those of you who have island parents they don’t play about school. My mom wouldn’t sign me up for football unless I was doing good in school so one day I just decided to sign myself up, that’s how bad I wanted to play football.”

He had encouraging words for students who weren’t at the top of their game yet noting that he wasn’t always good at football.

“My first year playing I barely touched the field but at the end of the day I stuck with it because that’s what I really wanna do.”

He said the kids who were better than him were his motivation.

“The first step to being an athlete is getting rid of that ego, never feel like you’re better than the next person.”

Faion explained that putting in extra effort was the only way to the top even if you’re not perfect at first.

“Take pride in being an underdog.” He urged “when you go out and you earn it it means a lot more— do a little extra, wake up a little earlier, do something you wouldn’t do and it will add up.”

Hicks said he struggled in high school and prayed that he would get recruited to a good school. He explained that he would have to take three trains and two buses to get to and from practice every day.

“It was a lot of lonely nights going to the park working out on my own— my mom couldn’t always pick me up because she was working.”

He urged the athletes, boys especially, to handle their studies and grades first before any type of athletics but to work hard at both. Hicks said he was never a big time prospect in college or high school and he had to work hard to get to where he is now.

“I wanted to go to college so bad I’d get home from practice at 11pm and 12 o’clock at night I went to the park and just jumped rope — I feel like College can better your life in ways that you never imagined.”

Faion’s agent Sandy jumped in with, “When it comes to boys we push them to sports immediately and we don’t push Education. Our males need to understand not everybody is going to make it in football, basketball or track and field. They need to get an education, it will open opportunities. I’m Dominican, we believe baseball is everything. I had a baseball scholarship and I lost it but at the end of the day I got an education and that opened a door.”

THE CALL THAT CHANGED MADE HIS GRANDMA CRY

Faion was recruited for Wisconsin State University and explained that being a university athlete was a delicate balancing act with classes, meetings, games and training but eventually it all paid off. On April 30th 2022, Faion Hicks got the call of a lifetime; he had been drafted to the NFL to play for the Denver Broncos in a first ever for the Turks and Caicos.

He recalled the moment he got drafted.

“Midway through the 7th round I’m like whatever happens happens I’m not even watching the draft at this point. My family started surrounding me and saying if you don’t get drafted it’s okay you tried your hardest. We were just sitting there and the phone rang.”

Unfortunately that call was the Detroit Lions telling him they wouldn’t be drafting him. Faion got one more discouraging call from the Giants who would not be drafting him either, but then came The Call.

“I pick it up and he’s like,”Hey How are you doing”. I didn’t even sound excited and then he was like “we’re gonna draft you” and I just dropped my head and everybody just went crazy. When I saw my Grandma cry that’s when I kinda broke down cause I know how bad she prayed.” Hicks said.

Minister of Education with responsibility for Sport, Rachel Taylor said talks were already underway for new programs.

“He came and asked ‘what can I do for the young people of the Turks and Caicos islands?’ They have already sat down with us and are mapping out when they will return and the kinds of programs they will put in place so we can ensure opportunities are afforded to our children through scouting.”

Faion stressed many NFL Athletes drop out after only three years and despite the hype of the professional career getting an education is paramount. He also urged youngsters to appreciate their high school careers and embrace the innocence and the love they have for their sports as it would be some of their best memories as they grew older.

The Denver Broncos have three pre-season games scheduled this August.  Game one for the Broncos is September 12 against the Seattle SeaHawks.

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Password to Paradise Radio Remotes at Beaches Turks & Caicos continue to highlight the TCI as the preferred Caribbean destination  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — For two consecutive weeks, popular on‑air personalities set up remote studios on the sands of Grace Bay, turning Beaches Turks & Caicos into a live broadcast hub for North American listeners. Morning shows and drive‑time programmes all streamed directly from the resort, with hosts sharing first‑hand impressions of the islands’ beaches, culinary scene, and signature warm hospitality.

The broadcasts formed part of the “Password to Paradise” promotion, a multi‑station campaign that invited listeners to tune in for special on‑air codes for the chance to win all‑inclusive vacations to Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. Stations in major markets across the U.S. and Canada used the resort as their backdrop while encouraging audiences to “trade the cold for Turks and Caicos,” painting vivid pictures of turquoise waters and white‑sand shores with every break.

The “Password to Paradise” mission, already a proven radio promotion format in Canada and the U.S., took on new resonance when paired with live reports from the resort itself. Contest teasers, winner announcements, and social media reels featuring guests arriving in Turks and Caicos amplified the islands’ profile well beyond traditional print or digital advertising.

Tourism officials have welcomed the radio initiative as a timely boost to an already buoyant sector. Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, emphasized the importance of partnerships that not only grow arrivals but also ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders remain the primary beneficiaries of tourism’s success.

In commenting on the recent wave of live broadcasts and contests, Minister Jolly noted, “these visiting broadcasters have showcased the islands to millions of listeners across North America and underscored the “value added” to an economy that continues to expand on the strength of tourism.” He continued, “ sustained, experience‑driven campaigns like “Password to Paradise” align with the government’s broader strategy of attracting high‑value visitors while protecting the country’s natural assets and cultural heritage.”

The Turks and Caicos tourism product is widely described as a cornerstone of the national economy, as this sector continues to grow from strength to strength it will increase the number job creation for islanders.

Additionally, tourism leaders point to the long‑tail impact of being featured repeatedly across multiple radio brands, social channels and contest sites. Each on‑air mention, online clip and contest entry serves as an invitation to discover Turks and Caicos, reinforcing the islands’ reputation as a premier Caribbean destination at a time when global competition for tourists is intense.

For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the broadcasts were another opportunity to highlight its position as one of the region’s leading family‑friendly all‑inclusive resorts. DJs and hosts shared experiences from the resort’s multiple villages, expansive pools, waterpark attractions, and dining venues, giving listeners an authentic taste of the “Luxury Included” vacation concept from a guest’s point of view.

General Manager, Deryk Meany highlighted the resort’s partnership with the radio stations as he complemented a wider pattern of media collaborations that Turks and Caicos has pursued in recent years, from television features in major U.S. markets to digital campaigns showcasing the archipelago’s diverse islands. With the success of the latest “Password to Paradise” mission, industry insiders say the stage is set for more creative broadcast partnerships that leverage the power of storytelling to keep Turks and Caicos Islands firmly on the map.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos adds four new PADI Dive Instructors to the cadre of professionals in the watersports department

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos, a PADI-certified dive resort in Providenciales, continues to invest in its watersports team by training and certifying four team members to become qualified dive instructors to its operation. The resort operates one of the most comprehensive resort diving programmes in the region, offering on-site PADI courses and daily dives for guests of varying experience levels.

These latest certifications were conducted under the supervision of PADI Course Director and Dive Shop Manager Leonard Suckrajh, who is among an elite group of PADI professionals in the Caribbean. His role as course director allows the resort to deliver instructor-level training on property, further elevating the standard of safety, education and guest experience at the resort’s dive centre.

Suckrajh expressed his satisfaction with the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the four new instructors, Almina Browne, Cicely Clarke, Andrew Dunkley and Boat Captain Tryston Sang throughout their training and assessment. “I am extremely proud of them,” he said. “They have invested significant time and effort in developing their technical competence and instructional skills and their achievement reflects a deep commitment to delivering safe, high-quality dive experiences for our guests.”

He noted that their performance reflects a strong culture of excellence within the watersports department and aligns with the resort’s long-standing emphasis on safety and training. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, our objective is not only to train divers, but to develop highly responsible professionals who understand that every dive is grounded in safety, teamwork and respect for the marine environment,” he added. Suckrajh, whose own progression to course director spans more than two decades in watersports and diving within the Sandals and Beaches brands, said the new instructors represent “the next generation of leaders within our dive operation.”

General Manager, Deryk Meany, commended the level of collaboration required to guide four new instructors through the rigorous PADI process. “Attaining PADI instructor status is a demanding accomplishment that cannot be realized in isolation,” Meany said. “It requires the coordinated support of the dive shop, the wider watersports team, and the broader resort operation to ensure candidates have the necessary resources, time and mentorship to succeed.”

He emphasized that strengthening the cadre of certified instructors supports the resort’s commitment to excellence in guest service. “Each additional instructor enhances our capacity to offer guests a greater range of options, a higher degree of personal attention and consistently high safety standards,” Meany continued. “This milestone reinforces our position as a leading provider of family-friendly diving experiences in the Caribbean.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos is recognized for providing a wide spectrum of PADI courses on site, from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water certification to advanced and specialty programmes. Previous training initiatives at the resort have resulted in many team members achieving PADI instructor status, significantly increasing both certification capacity and in-water safety oversight.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos shares fine dining experiences to high school students in Providenciales  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Students from the Clement Howell High School were recently welcomed to Beaches Turks and Caicos for an immersive fine dining and etiquette session at one of the resort’s signature à la carte restaurants. For the second consecutive year, the resort’s learning and development, public relations and food and beverage teams designed and delivered practical training that exposed students to the standards and expectations of a world‑class hospitality environment.

General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Deryk Meany, said the resort is committed to making the experience a fixture on the school calendar. “We are honoured to once again open our doors to the students of Clement Howell High School,” Meany added. “As one of the largest employers and training grounds in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we see it as our responsibility to help prepare the next generation with the skills, confidence and professional support they need to succeed in hospitality and beyond.”

He added that the partnership aligns with the values of both Beaches Resorts and the Sandals Foundation. “This programme is about more than a single day at the resort,” Meany continued. “It is about creating a consistent pathway for young people to see themselves in this industry, to understand the standards we uphold, and to recognise that there is a place for them at every level of the tourism sector.”

During the session, the resort’s learning and development and food and beverage professionals guided students through the full fine‑dining experience—from greeting and seating, to understanding multi‑course menus, cutlery placement, napkin etiquette and appropriate table conversation. Students also learned about body language, professional dress, and how to conduct themselves confidently in formal and semi‑formal settings such as interviews, scholarship dinners and official functions.

Learning and Development Manager Phildreka Mayham explained that the training was deliberately structured to blend technical knowledge with life skills. “Our goal is to demystify the fine dining environment for these students,” Mayham noted. “We want them not only to know which fork to use, but to understand that etiquette is really about respect for others, respect for themselves, and the ability to move comfortably in any social or professional space.”

She added that the programme is also a platform to introduce students to career possibilities. “Through this engagement, they get to interact directly with our team members, ask questions about different roles, and see first‑hand that hospitality offers diverse pathways—from culinary arts and service to training, management, and leadership,” Mayham shared.

For Clement Howell High School, the partnership with Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation has become an important extension of the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum. Guidance Counsellor Tanisha Graham said the experience supports the school’s broader focus on personal development and career readiness. “Our students are learning about self‑presentation, communication, and social responsibility in the classroom,” Graham noted. “Being able to step into a professional fine dining setting and put those lessons into practice is incredibly powerful for them.”

Graham emphasised the impact on students’ self‑confidence. “Many of our students are experiencing this kind of setting for the very first time,” she explained. “To see them sit up a little straighter, engage in conversation, and realise that they belong in these spaces—that is transformational. It reinforces the message that their potential is limitless.

Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan added, “this initiative forms part of the resort’s ongoing investment in education and skills development across the Turks and Caicos Islands, complementing previous support to Clement Howell High, including enhancements to hospitality‑related clubs and programmes. The fine dining and etiquette training is expected to continue as an annual feature, with plans to refine and expand the experience based on feedback from students and teachers.”

As the second cohort of HFLE students completed their training, teachers expressed optimism that the collaboration will continue to grow and inspire even more young people to consider careers in hospitality. For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the hope is that today’s students will return in the years ahead as interns, team members, and leaders—bringing with them the confidence, poise and professionalism first nurtured at a carefully set table in one of the resort’s restaurants.

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