Patti Dozier
THOMASVILLE — No one doubts that Byrdell Edward Teasley Ward will succeed. Anyone who spends time with the enterprising young man realizes Ward is too determined not to succeed.
A calm, soft-spoken young man, Ward’s goal is to be become “a great entrepreneur.” He will take it one step at a time, follow his dreams and be wise with the monetary rewards of his efforts.
Ward, 18, is a 2009 Thomasville High School graduate. This summer, he has a job at a place that played a big role during his growing-up years.
He is working with young people at the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys & Girls Club of Thomas County. Ward has spent a lot of time at the 219 Fletcher St. facility. He is the club’s current Youth of the Year and placed third in state competition.
Ward said he was becoming a bum and making bad grades before he began going to the Boys & Girls Club. “I was absolutely going nowhere,” he explained.
The Boys & Girls Club provided him with a place to be. In his job at the club this summer, he is approaching youngsters as a friend. “I think that works better,” Ward explained.
Lee Wagner, Boys & Girl Club executive director, is impressed by Ward’s drive and quest to be successful, but he is most impressed by Ward being so goal-oriented.
“This unfortunately is a rare trait in an alarming number of today's youth. Brydell has his life mapped out with incremental goals in place that will assist him in getting to where he plans to be for at least the next six to seven years. He even has contingency plans, realizing that it is very possible that things will not always work according to the way he has them planned,” Wagner said.
In spite of many challenges, setbacks and obstacles, Ward has and will continue to overcome them in pursuit of his goals and dreams of becoming a successful businessman, Wagner said.
Ward vows to never forget those individuals who assisted him during his quest for success.
“He has promised to return to the Thomasville/Thomas County community some day to repay those individuals for their helping hand once he reaches the level of success and acquires the fortune that he is seeking,” Wagner said.
The Boys & Girls Club executive director expects Ward to reach his goal. Two decades from now, Wagner will not be surprised to learn that Ward has reached the level of success on which he set his sights.
Ward is an artist — “If I see something, I can draw it” — likes poetry and is considering authoring a poetry book. He likes all types of music — “as long as it make sense.”
Born in the Liberty City area of Miami, Fla., Ward moved to Thomasville when he was seven.
His mother is Maria Dancy of Thomasville. His father, Brydell Ward, lives in Bridgeport, Conn. Ward and his three brothers and two sisters get together here and in Connecticut. He sees his father every summer and during some Christmas holidays.
“You are the only person who can hold you back from your dreams. No one else can,” Ward said.
Ward said it was at the Boys & Girls Club five or six years ago that he decided what he wanted to major in. “It (the club) changed my character,” he added.
He is a member of the club’s Brothers of Leadership and Distinction, an organization that encourages young gentlemen to take life seriously and to think outside the box.
Ward will attend Florida A&M; University in the fall and earn a degree in business “and begin a successful business of my own.”
Ward has $3,000 in scholarships, is awaiting word on other scholarships and will seek financial aid at Florida A&M.;
A college degree is his back-up plan, something always there to fall back on.
Ward wants to be a worldwide success. He wants to own restaurants that on first sight would cause people to say, “Wow!”
Because shopping makes him happy, Ward would like to own a mall. He recalled a mall that appeared to be under water with lots of fish swimming everywhere.
In his THS Class of 2009, Ward was Senator of Fund-Raising and oversaw class fund-raisers. He plans to be financially sound by the age of 21.
“He’s a self-motivated, highly determined young man,” said Daniel Dorsey, a THS teacher and coach and advisor to the Class of ‘09. “His work ethic is like phenomenal.”
Dorsey said Ward goes after what he wants. “I was really impressed with that,” he added.
At crunch time, Ward becomes aggressive. He said he has to be aggressive because he is not a physically big guy.
Ward has mapped out his domestic life: He will meet an intelligent, classy, goal-oriented woman at 26, marry her at 28 and before he is 30 become a father.
He will become a wealthy man and take care of those who have taken care of him.
Ward prays and talks to God many times daily about his life plans.
What if he fails?
“Failure is not an option,” the young man explained.
Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.
