6/25/2007
Dear Johnny Estrada,
My name is Justin Hall a former COS baseball player ('93-'95), I'm currently an Outreach Specialist with Yolo County (just outside of Sacramento) Department of Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health. I work in the youth alcohol & drug prevention unit and during the week of June 18th-22nd we hosted a summer camp for 28 4th-8th graders. On June 19th we held a baseball/softball day covering the fundamentals of throwing, hitting and fielding.
I introduced the group to Johnny's foundation and story of how playing baseball kept him from taking the path to serious trouble. We encouraged the group to find a positive outlet to be involved with and how sports is just one activity to be involved in. Johnny's story hit too close to home to some of the students who seem to be living in neighborhoods similar to the Estrada family's in Hayward.
With so many difficult choices facing the youth of today, our job in Yolo County is to educate students on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and provide them with the tools and knowledge to make positive & healthy choices to be successful in life. After being introduced to Johnny and his No Drugs Foundation I can say without hesitation that there are 28 more young fans of Johnny and what he stands for.
I just wanted to share the power of Johnny's message and how he and his family are making a positive impact on so many young people.
Justin Hall
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DARE, a Special Opportunity for Me!
BY Adan Duarte
I feel the DARE program is wonderful! It was a special opportunity for me. D.A.R.E stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is especially for 5th graders since middle school often has lots of drug issues. Our sponsor is Mr. Johnny Estrada from the Braves team. Our Officer is Officer Willix.
One fact I have learned is that 400,000 people die from tobacco every year. I don't want to be one of those people! I also think it is important to be drug free so we can live a long and healthy life.
Smoking causes lots of disease's. The most common disease is lung cancer. It can cause dehydration, dry your skin out, cause wrinkles and yellow your teeth. Marijuana is even more dangerous than tobacco. It makes you have short-term memory loss and slows your coordination. Did you know marijuana has more tar than tobacco. When people smoke tobacco, tar coats their lungs. The tar builds up and makes their breathing difficult.
To resist violence is another important DARE message. It helps you avoid damaging yourself and others. DARE teaches us to define, assess, respond, and evaluate. This is a problem solving plan I can use my whole life.
I like DARE, and I know I'll remember what I learned each session. My choice is not to do or take drugs. I hope I never take drugs so I can live long and healthy. Thank you Mr. Estrada for providing my classmates and me.
Thank
you Adan for successfully completely the DARE program. We
are very proud of you and your choice not to do drugs.
Johnny Estrada and Family
My Role Model
by
Evan Hendrix, age 17
October 30, 2004
As I exited the baseball field after a less than perfect performance, two young kids with balls in their hands and baseball in their hearts approached me with their mother. To my disbelief, the youngsters wanted my signature on the balls they had brought from home. My initial reaction is one I am not proud of. 1 muttered, "You don't want my autograph," with an apologetic grin towards their mother. I had no idea that I was the two kids' favorite local player. Their mother let me know real quick that I was mistaken and that I was "going to sign her boys' baseballs." Surprised, 1 took the pen and signed both balls with what was probably an illegible scribble.
That was nearly two years ago, but it made me realize that people knew who I was and looked up to me. I actually was a role model! This was a shocking revelation because it seemed as if I had just been that naive little kid not too long ago. My thoughts traveled back to seventh grade, a time when I met one of my biggest personal role models.
I remember that day so clearly.... My class had a substitute for two days, and who should that substitute happen to be, but Johnny Estrada. Then in AA minor league baseball, who knew he would eventually move up to the Atlanta Braves and play in this year's all-star game? Like me, he was a catcher, so we had a lot to talk about. We stayed in contact, and he gave me his used baseball gear, which I immediately started using. In the following years, he continued to be influential in my development as a player and a person. Very often, he would tell me about the dangers of drug abuse and the rewards of hard work. He was and is so passionate about his "No Drugs" message that he writes his phrase on almost all of his baseball equipment. The year I met him, I visited him at spring training where I observed his work ethic and how disciplined he was, not only on the baseball diamond, but in daily life as well. I noticed how he planned his day to set himself up for success by studying nutrition, eating well and getting to bed at a decent hour. All of these observations have inspired me to be an extremely hard worker. Even at the young age of twelve, I was the kid who would invite other teammates to practice with my dad and me. Before team practices and after, it didn't matter. Now it's the same way. In school and in my love for baseball, I am continually striving for perfection and doing my best to help my team, the North Rowan Cavaliers.
I had been wearing Mr. Estrada's "No Drugs" message on his gear, but since that ball signing day, I've been much more intentional about my responsibility to be a positive influence on young people. I immediately put "No Drugs" on all my other equipment, even though some of my friends teased me about it. When someone asks about my catcher's gear, I'm always sure to tell them my stand on drugs and encourage them to always work hard in whatever they do. The past two summers I've led recreation at my church's Vacation Bible School and have been able to share with several of the campers about not using drugs. As a member of the Rowan County American Legion baseball team, I'm very much in the public eye. So I make a conscious effort to conduct myself with integrity in all I do. Also my high school baseball team holds a baseball camp for Spencer Little League, where I use to play. I have used the camp as another opportunity to talk to kids and reinforce the lessons their parents are hopefully teaching. Having Mr. Estrada as a role model has jump started my passion for doing everything to the best of my ability.
Through Mr. Estrada, who cared enough to try to make a difference in my life, I see the importance of having someone to look up to at a young age. I have come to understand more of what it means to do what I can, even in my limited sphere. I am and will continue to be a role model. In fact we are all role models. As parents, students, teachers, employers and workers, we all influence someone.
In my college life, there will be numerous opportunities to be a role model through academics and extracurricular activities. I will enjoy these opportunities to try to shape others' lives. I may not be nearly as skilled as my role model, but I'm determined to use my life to make a difference. Thanks Johnny Estrada, you have made a difference in my life.
Thank you for sharing your
essay Evan. Jen and I wish you all the best as you continue to
pursue your education at college! Your words are very
encouraging.