In the News
Published: April 22, 2007
By WILLIAM F. WEST, Herald Sun
TROSA grads pledge sobriety
Durham -- Although NBA player David Noel III's father isn't used to being in the limelight, the son praised his Dad for the way he handled himself in front of the audience at TROSA's graduation ceremonies at Duke University's Page Auditorium.
The father was one of 23 who late Sunday afternoon received diplomas from TROSA, or Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, a nonprofit organization providing an intensive two-year residential treatment program.
The older Noel told the audience he was a TROSA "restart" because he didn't follow the program TROSA's way the first time. "So this time around, I had to do it their way, not my way," he said, to replies of "that's right" from the audience.
Now, I'm doing it their way and I'm feeling a lot better," he said.
David Noel III starred with the UNC Tar Heels' 2005 championship hoops team and plays for pro basketball's Milwaukee Bucks.
"I wanted to come and support my pops," the son said afterward. "He looked nervous, but he did a good job. He kept his cool."
"He's done a phenomenal job of correcting the things he needs to correct and hopefully this can better himself as well as the people around him," the son said.
Earlier in the afternoon, the graduates walked in to hollers and whoops from people, many of whom eagerly moved forward with their cameras to snap shots of the procession.
The commencement speaker was Matthew Laurance, director of community relations for the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and color commentator for Duke men's basketball.
Laurance spoke with deeply humble feelings. He drew applause when, near the end of his speech, he praised the graduates for the choice they made to take their lives back.
"Life is so precious," Laurance said, noting such a reminder with the April 16 fatal shootings at Virginia Tech University.
"And what you have chosen to do and choose to do every day is to take your life and say, 'I am going to make the most of this minute, of this hour, of this day -- everyday,' " he said.
Laurance, quoting English playwright George Bernard Shaw, said people were always blaming their circumstances for what they were, but that the ones who got on in the world were the ones who looked for the circumstances they wanted.
Continuing to quote Shaw, Laurance said that, if people couldn't find the circumstances, they could make them.
"That's exactly what you're doing," Laurance told the graduates.
Emotions flowed as more than a few of the graduates vowed never to use illegal drugs again.
"I am high on my sobriety and the things I do in life," Don Schiffman said.
Fred Bright used the basketball analogy.
"The ball is in your court," he said. "All you have to do is get it to the other side and score.
"The clock is running," he said. "So make every possession count."
More than a few graduates praised Jesus Christ.
"I dedicate this day and the rest of my life to him," Tammy Wilson said. "Without him, I would not be here. I would not have made it through this program."
There were humorous moments, too.
"Whooo," Sharonda James said. "I feel like I just won the Grammy."
Ronnie Alston, an aging, graying figure of a man, did the splits on the floor.
His action later prompted Jesse Battle, who was introducing the graduates, to say he thought he was going to have to break out the CPR equipment.
Article from the Herald Sun