By Sarah Bey
The apostle Paul wrote a letter to early Christians in ancient Galatia, saying, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, CEB).
Those closest to 15-year-old Olice use similar words to describe his spirit.
“Olice is always joyful, happy and caring,” said Clarence Degrate, Day Student program coordinator at the charter school on the Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) Waco campus. “Olice is just a different kind of kid. He always greets everyone and gives me a fist bump at the end of the school day.”
Building relationships and sharing joy with others comes naturally to the high school freshman.
“Our program is like a family,” Olice said. “We share a special bond. We all get along, laugh and joke. My friends and the staff are a great support system, and I know they are always there for me and my mother.”
Olice’s mother, Allyson, learned about the Day Student program from one of his best friend’s mothers. Olice and his best friend, Marquavion, have grown up together since pre-K. Both enrolled in the Day Student program together as sixth graders.
“I felt the smaller classes at the charter school would provide a better learning experience for my son,” Allyson said. “Olice has been able to stay focused in school and he’s grown a lot in maturity.”
Olice enjoys athletics and extracurricular activities at MCH. He is part of the football, basketball and track teams, and is a member of the student advisory board. However, basketball is where Olice’s passion lies.
“I have always loved basketball, and would even shoot hoops in my neighborhood when it was raining outside,” he said. “I hope to play college basketball.”
The student-athlete is well on his way to reaching his dream. Olice’s hard work and athleticism earned him a spot on the all-district basketball team this past season. He looks forward to participating in the Scott Drew basketball camp again this summer at Baylor University.
“I met a lot of new people, Baylor basketball players and the head coach, Scott Drew at the last camp,” Olice said. “My interaction with them and the whole experience exceeded my expectations. It really motivated me to keep working toward my goal.”
The athletics staff at MCH believe in Olice and know that, with more coaching, he will achieve his dream.
“Olice has God-given talent as a basketball player,” said Darrell Williams, athletic coordinator and basketball coach. “He is very coachable and has the right work ethic to reach his goals. The sky is the limit for him. I think he will be another one of our student-athletes who will sign to play at a college or university in three years when he graduates from high school.”
When he’s not playing basketball or in school, Olice participates in community service opportunities with the Day Student program, and holds a part-time job with the MCH Plant department. From assisting maintenance employees to learning how to wash a company vehicle or filing paperwork, Olice has learned more about accountability.
“There are days I don’t want to go to work, but I still go because I know people are depending on me and expect me to be there,” Olice said.
He has also found a sweet friendship with the department’s administrative assistant, Rosemary Chavarria.
“From the moment our team met Olice, he was very respectful and professional,” she said. “Olice is always mindful and diligent about his tasks. He is intentional and never does anything halfway.”
Chavarria has attended several of Olice’s football and basketball games after he encouraged her to come watch.
“Everybody teases me because I call him ‘My Olice,’” Chavarria said. “He gets along with everyone and he wants to make sure everyone feels included. Olice is so sweet and endearing. It’s hard not to love him.”
“I love Olice’s smile,” said Amy Grisham, director of school support. “His smile makes me smile.
“I admire Olice’s leadership and resiliency,” Grisham continued. “He has overcome a lot of hard things at his age and has grown in his self-confidence.”
The Day Student program and other MCH staff will continue to cheer Olice on as he progresses in life.
“It means everything to me to see Olice and our other students succeed,” said Allyson Welch, case manager for Day Students. “Olice is so passionate about his goal and that is rare at his age. I know he is going to make it big.”
“I am forever grateful for this tight group of people,” Olice said. “They are always willing to listen and support us. They will always be a part of my life.”
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