Monday Mission Moment - 2021.03.01

Described by his coach as "a once-in-a-generation kid," U.S. Naval Academy student Cam Davis is the captain of the U.S. Naval Academy men's basketball team. He is also the captain of the Academy's other 33 varsity sports captains, is about to graduate with a degree in ocean engineering, and is headed to MIT for a graduate degree in applied ocean science and engineering.  After all that, he’ll be taking his Naval assignment on an aircraft carrier.

As extraordinary as all that is, it's not the whole story of what makes Cam Davis a truly rare young man. While anyone with such a full plate might understandably consider himself already overloaded with responsibility, Cam has found time to do even more.

Thanks to a partnership between the Y in Central Maryland and the U.S. Naval Academy, Cam Davis and several of his teammates devote time each month to mentor high school students in the Y's New Horizons II (NHII) college and career readiness program, which supports teens experiencing homelessness. Taking place on the second Saturday of each month, Cam and several of his Naval Academy basketball teammates spend time via Zoom to have "near-peer" interactions and focused conversations with NHII youth. One of the key goals of the NHII program is the development of 21st-century skills, like decision making, thinking outside the box, communication, discussing what’s next after high school, and resume building. Says Heather Naviasky, Executive Director of the Teen Experience at the Y, "Cam is clearly the go-to leader who kicks off conversations and encourages others to speak up and share."

That’s what leaders do.
 
Cam Davis Y MentorWhile that may sum up all anyone needs to know about Cam Davis' character, like everything else in his remarkable young life, Cam clearly feels highly motivated to push further and do more. Speaking to the legendary sports columnist John Feinstein for The Washington Post, Cam reflected on the challenges we face as a nation to address the glaring inequities in our society:

"I see where we are right now as an opportunity, and I’d really like to be part of the group that changes the world, that moves us in the direction of the finish line. I think there will be history books written about what we do and how we changed the narrative of a country that was founded on racism. I want to leave a footprint here at the academy, but not just as a basketball player.”

Read the full story here: Cam Davis has led Navy basketball to the top of the Patriot League.

Many thanks to Cam Davis and his teammates and to Miriam Stanicic, Community Relations Director at the U.S. Naval Academy, along with E.J. Amyot, Vice President Operations for the Y, who teamed up to open the door to this wonderful partnership.

Cam ends his interview with John Feinstein saying, “What basketball has done for me isn’t a cul-de-sac; it’s an avenue that will keep on running long after I stop playing. “It’s opened so many doors for me. But when it’s time to lay the dog to rest, you lay the dog down. I know I’ll walk away, fully satisfied.”

There are several young people in Baltimore looking to better their chances in life who are benefiting quite significantly from that kind of wisdom, and for that, they and we are all incredibly grateful.


All the best,
John


John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland