Published: June 06, 2007 03:42 pm            

Lewis Camp has extra 'inspiration'

WEST ORANGE — When former West Orange-Stark quarterback Tremain Lewis got the Tremain Lewis Football Camp going a few years back, he envisioned the Orange community growing closer, including the WO-S and Little Cypress-Mauriceville school districts.

Well, that vision is becoming more and more of a reality this year as the Lewis Camp has joined forces with Inspire 12 with both a football and softball camp.

Inspire 12 is a scholarship program benefiting students of both LC-M and WO-S high schools. The Inspire 12 promise will provide graduates of the two schools with a tuition scholarship which can be used at any accredited Texas public university, community college, public related health institution or technical college.

Students graduating in 2008 will be the first class eligible for the scholarships. Students have to make certain requirements and more information can be found at www.Inspire12.org.

“This whole idea and dream has turned out to be so special,” said Lewis, who led the Mustangs to a state title in 1987. “We’re so excited to be with Inspire 12 and working under one umbrella. Rebecca (Patterson) has done an amazing job organizing everything, she’s a real trooper.”

Of course, both the football and softball camps are way more than just learning the fundamental skills of the game.

“Sure, the kids are learning about the sport, but they’re learning so much more,” Lewis said. “These camps are all about getting to know your neighbors and meeting new friends. They’ll learn about having more of a positive self-esteem and leadership skills.”

Lewis, who resides in California, loves how Inspire 12 has entered the picture to help provide a lot of hope for both Orange-area students.

“It all starts with the community and California has a lot of groups like Inspire 12 and they all work so well,” Lewis said. “Everyone gets involved and everyone takes a whole lot of pride in it. Kids take more pride in making good grades and parents are less stressed. Many of them are not pounding away, trying to work all of that overtime just to put back a little money for their kids’ education. It allows parents more interaction with their children and that’s the best thing about it.”

Lewis and Co. plan to come back year after year to work with the kids and watch them grow up into young men and women.

“We enjoy all the kids so much, especially the younger ones,” Lewis said. “So many of them will have a chance to grow up with the camp. When you learn about teamwork and learn about how to be a better student in the classroom, that’s tremendous.”

The softball portion of the camp has a superb turnout with plenty of young, future softball stars working hard and waiting in the horizon.

Several former high school standouts were on hand to help the likes of WO-S head softball coach Randy Ragsdale.

Those included were LC-M grad Cody Trahan, who helped guide the Lady Bears to a Class 4A state championship in 2006 and who now is heading into her sophomore season at powerful Louisiana State University, and former WO-S standout shortstop Ashley Tillman, who is now honing her skills as an upcoming sophomore at Texas Southern University.

So how special do the form All-Orange Leader Team members feel about contributing to such a wonderful effort?

“I always want to see kids from the Orange area excel in everything that they do” Tillman said. “A lot of people helped me along the way and to come back and help with some community service is a wonderful feeling. It’s fun to come back and be with some of your old friends but it’s even better to help these kids out. They all really want to learn and that’s awesome.”

“This whole concept with Inspire 12 is a great thing,” said Trahan. “To have your college paid for like that is amazing. The kids just have to work hard in the classroom and be good kids. I know it would’ve motivated me. We really have a nice turnout. The kids are so much fun, especially the little ones. I’m proud to do whatever I can to help. This was a great idea.”

Inspire 12 will continue to stay busy after the sports camp. It will host a long summer technology camp at the Little Cypress and West Orange-Stark junior high campuses from July 9-Aug. 2.

The camp will help students better their skills in subjects like math, reading and others. The kids, 75 of them, have already been selected from each school.

        

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