Jacques Peaks: Starting From The Bottom

Jacques Peaks walks the halls of Liberty as one of the brightest stars in the school after leading the basketball team to the state championship for the first time in the school’s history, while he has the respect of the staff as well as students, it is easy to see that he has led a very blessed life filled with accomplishments and admiration.  But, to think the boy walking tall down the halls of the small high school happened without adversity would be anything but the truth.

Before transferring to Liberty Christian School, Jacques was forced to navigate his way through a school system that has stifled success in a large number of students, causing more harm than good for many of the children walking the halls.  Durham Public Schools is infamous for the systemic issues plaguing its classrooms.  Stories of drugs, violence, and theft are commonplace to the system.  Stories of teachers intentionally trying to stifle students’ success, is an everyday occurrence that only adds to the dark atmosphere of the darkened hallways inherent to the district.  Durham Public Schools is the place where many dreams go to die as students and teachers alike seem to stifle growth and limit the ability of its students to experience anything positive about their school lives. 

Bullying is rampant as many students attempt to ease the negativity of their own lives by mistreating one or a number of their classmates.  And with the notoriously high dropout rates, it comes as no surprise that there is very little room for growth in an environment created by these schools. 

It is in this environment Jacques Peaks found himself as he worked his way through grade school, middle school, and even high school.  By the time he had reached his sophomore year, he was playing for the junior varsity basketball team of Northern High School.  In navigating the dark environment shrouding the halls of this notoriously rough school, it seemed as though there was going to be very little room for the young student to shine.

They say the night is always darkest just before the sunrise, which certainly proved to be the case for Peaks as he received a scholarship to attend a smaller, Christian school that seemed to be a world away from the dark halls of Northern High School and away from the dreary Durham Public School System.  In his new school, Jacques discovered classrooms with 16 students instead of 40, a tightly knit student body instead of crime-ridden halls, and the chance to play on the varsity basketball team instead of being forced to settle for junior varsity. 

In the previous season, the team seemed to show very little excitement as they finished with a very unimpressive season.  But, as Jacques Peaks stepped onto the floor for the first time, coach Imaan Vicente immediately noticed the new player on the floor.  He was pleased to see the new addition knew how to shoot the ball.   In his second season, the coach understood from his own life experiences the hardships of transitioning from a public to a private school.  He worried that his new player might have difficulty adjusting to his new school.  But, to the coach’s delight, he saw Peaks fully immerse himself in the new school.  He quickly made friends, excelled in his classwork, and quickly became a leader among his basketball teammates by finding ways to get the best out of them. 

As the basketball season began, Liberty could sense something new in the air every time the team took the floor.  Jacques was not only showing that he had the ability to score, but he was also proving himself to be a rebounder, passer, and vocal leader on the floor.  It seemed as though every player mattered to him as he continually motivated his teammates to do the right thing.  Coach Vicente says, “Jacques was the piece we needed” as the team found its way to a winning season, and with Jacques helping to lead the team, they reached the state championship game.  In finishing second in the state tournament, Liberty had gone from a team nobody had heard of to a team that was making heads turn. 

While Jacques Peaks leading his team to state glory was one reason he is admired by most of his classmates, what impresses his basketball coach is his ability to inspire the younger players in the school.  Coach Vicente says, ”Jacques always takes the time to encourage younger students.  He even has a handshake with a sixth-grader.” 

As Jacques finds himself growing into a very capable man, he finds himself supported by a coach that believes in him.  Coach Vicente explains his goals for Jacques, “I would love to see him play Division 1 basketball and continue to lead after he has left here.” The proud coach seemed to beam as he explained that he wanted Peaks to return to the school when he had time to help the future players on his team. 

To look at the young leader of Liberty Christian School turning heads with basketball and leading the school with his commitment to motivating others, Jacques Peaks has found a place with a much brighter future than he could have ever seen in the halls of Northern High School.