The JT III Foundation fosters community-based charities that serve at-risk families with a primary focus on education and health care. This past Friday, I made it through the work week preparing with other doctors for the flu season. I then headed for the JT III Foundation benefit dinner at the Ronald Reagan building. It was wonderful seeing so many Hoyas, from President DeGioia, and his wife Theresa, to other WJA and Georgetown alumni, staff, and volunteers. We heard moving talks from coach JT III and his wife Monica, WJA President Bill Whitaker, and Honorary Chair Sheila Johnson. One of the evenings highlights was hearing the final remarks from WJA Class of 2006 Valedictorian, and current Georgetown Prep student Blair Meek. He gave a moving talk on his WJA experience and what it means to live the Jesuit mission of "Men and Women for Others." Master of Ceremonies Leon Harris from WJLA-TV even expressed his concern that Blair would soon be after his job! It was good to see many of the former Hoya players like Jeff Green, Tyler Crawford, and Jonathan Wallace there to support the foundation. Monica Thompson, and Coach JT III deserve a great deal of credit for the tremendous work their Foundation is doing for the youth and families of the District of Columbia.
After the evening I rushed home to get some sleep, and packed my bags and laptop for Turkey Thicket Park. The JT III Foundation sponsored their third annual community festival. The entire team came out to put on a basketball clinic and meet with the children and families from the community. I provided an education table with materials on ocular health, concentrating on glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. I enjoyed meeting many people including Councilman Harry James from Ward 5. We had a great time as the weather could not have been more ideal. We finished up the afternoon with some of the attendees and players dancing up a storm, led by Austin Freeman, Henry Sims, and Greg Monroe.
I next packed my bags for Gonzaga HS to see my Alma Mater Georgetown Prep battle the Eagles of Gonzaga. Unfortunately, Prep lost on a 27 yard FG with no time remaining on the clock. It was a great game though, and the money supports the WJA. I remembered President DeGioia telling me the night before, that both the football teams from Prep and Gonzaga attended a barbecue and Mass on Friday on the campus of Georgetown University. My how times have changed!
After the game I headed out New York Avenue to Route 50 meeting the GU Maryland Alumni Association for their crab feast at Mike's Crab House in Riva, Md. When I got the invite from fellow Hoya Derrek Lawson I just could not turn it out. What a great weekend it was supporting the JT III Foundation and the WJA Academy! It was special! Hoya Saxa!
P.S. To get a glimpse of a day at the Washington Jesuit Academy go to:
http://www.wjacademy.org/docs/CopyofWJA.Afternoons.mov
Dr. Thomas A. Wong
Proud Member of Generation Ewing
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