Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

News

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

Continue Reading

News

THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

Published

on

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING