Williams is in the spotlight as a doer of good deeds.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
Amari Williams is a sophomore at TJ who competes in basketball, takes rigorous classes, and still finds the time to volunteer at a local recreation center in the Denver Metro area. At TJ, Amari competes on the boys’ junior varsity basketball team, and played during his freshman year on the C-team. “I just want to progress so that I can be a great player, like those on the varsity level,” said Amari, who happens to be the point guard for the junior varsity team.
Amari started playing basketball when he was five years old. He began playing because of his older brother. “I wanted to do everything my brother did, but I always wanted to do it better,” said Amari. The head coach of the boy’s junior varsity team, Damian Allen, who also helps with the track program at TJ, has good things to say about Amari. He’s a good player, but has the potential to be much better. I am looking forward to working with Amari, and I expect him to be a leader for the team, along with the other experienced players,” said Coach Allen.
Amari has recently has become a member of the Black Student Alliance (BSA). The president of BSA, Shanora Ali, believes that his presence in the meetings is appreciated and it’s great to have him attending the meetings. “I like what the program has to offer, and it’s a great way to interact with my peers,” said Amari.
Amari is a great student with A’s and B’s, and takes American Lit X with Amber Wilson. “I like the class because it’s challenging, and it makes me expand my thinking on literature,” said Amari, and he informed the Journal that American Lit X is his favorite class at TJ.
TJ English Teacher Gabrielle Gerlits has nothing but glowing things to say about Amari. “He is a great, respectful young man who always does wonderful things for people no matter what. He is a great student who will push the extra mile, and he will never give up on anything,” said Gerlits, who had Amari as a student in her Intro to Lit class during Amari’s his year.
When Amari isn’t busy with homework or basketball practice, he volunteers at the La Alma Recreation Center in west Denver. Amari helps out at the front desk by answering phone calls and assisting people throughout the rec center. Amari grew up playing basketball, football, and baseball at La Alma. “The La Alma is like a second home to me, so I like to help out anyway that I can,” said Amari.
At home, Amari likes to watch his favorite show Everybody Hates Chris. “It’s a funny show, and the humor helps to take my mind off of stressful days,” he said.
What most people don’t know about Amari is the depth of his kindness for others. During a football game at Denver South, Amari ran down a bus for an old lady while she struggled to carry her grocery bags. Amari could have continued to watch the football game with the rest of his friends, but he took time to help out an elderly woman in need. “I helped her out because she needed it, and it’s what my parents raised me to do,” said Amari.
After high school, Amari hopes to attend Louisiana State University (LSU), and major in communications while minoring in sports medicine, and competing in basketball. “I want to go there because they are my favorite basketball team,” said Amari, who also said that he wants to major in communications because he wants to become a sports anchor for a show like ESPN Sports Center. “I want to minor in sports medicine because I want to be able to help athletes who injure themselves,” Amari added.
