Ripple Effects

A white man taught me never to quit. My parents showed me to persevere by example, but Riccobono was the first to make me follow through on a commitment. Riccobono was the Director of an afterschool/weekend program that combined music, tutoring, and basketball. The program participants were all from inner-city neighborhoods around Boston where basketball reigned supreme as the sport of choice. Knowing how much a majority of the students LOVED basketball, he used the sport as a tool to broaden our horizons. In order to play basketball at the program, for example, I had to do all my homework with a tutor then practice my instrument for at least a half hour.

I played the trombone for seven years and never enjoyed practicing. From the 5th grade through my senior year of high school, I played in a band despite being partially invested, at best. The hour-long practices three times per week were as fun as watching paint dry. Almost twenty years later, I still hate Tuesdays because that was "scale day." Basically, for an hour every Tuesday afterschool I had to sit in a room by myself in a Convent and practice scales that Riccobono wanted us to learn. It was dreadful, but I kept going.

As one might imagine, Riccobono had his difficulties keeping students like myself interested in the program. It wasn't easy by any means to do homework with a tutor after a full day of school AND practice an instrument. He had a keen understanding of every student's family dynamics. Whenever I skipped band practice, he'd call my parents knowing they would funnel me back his way--and they did each time I attempted to quit. With time, I came to enjoy performing in our bi-annual concerts. Outside of Boston, we played concerts in Denver, Chicago, New York City, and Vermont. Through the band, I also learned about Motown and many other "old school" artists I now enjoy listening to. That program, namely Riccobono's mentoring, has impacted my life tremendously...

Interestingly, my parents let me quit my job at Star Market in high school and it didn't take much convincing for me to get out of it.

Lebraun missed his fourth Computer class this week, which means he has failed the course less than a month into the semester. He has also missed a few practices lately. Most recently, he missed practice because of a car accident. My gut tells me that he's running on fumes, particularly because he doesn't see much action on the court.

Lebraun's professor has a strict attendance policy which he became aware of after missing class for the third time in three weeks. Instead of going to class, Lebraun was busy trying to get food stamps at the Welfare office on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m. He was told that four unexcused absences would result in an "F", and unfortunately, it didn't take long after the warning for Lebraun to seal his fate.

Lebraun: Coach, I missed my fourth class today.
Me: Why didn't you going to class?
Lebraun: I was sick. I ate some wings last night and woke up this morning all sick and stuff. I was sick to my stomach.
Me: Then why are you at practice right now?
Lebraun: Oh. I feel better now. I was sick this morning. I'm good now, though.
Me: Lemme ask you. Have you ever been part of an afterschool program or any kind of activity where you had to go regularly and be committed?
Lebraun: Yeh, like in the fourth grade but not really since then. I mean, I went to the Boys and Girls Club but that was nothing special.
Me: Your father never got you involved in stuff as a kid to keep you busy?
Lebraun: Naw, not really.
Me: Who's your male role model?
Lebraun: Huh?
Me: Do you wanna be like any of the men who have been in your life when you grow up?
Lebraun: I never thought of that, but I used to wanna be like my older brother.
Me: You have an older brother?
Lebraun: Yeh. We used to be real tight but as he got older and had kids we lost that connection.
Me: That's too bad.
Lebraun: Yeh. He's sellin drugs too so he ain't really around like that.