“Somebody’s always been there for me. This is my calling now.”
~ Tony Hudson, Horizon Pines resident, former pro baseball player, and newly-qualified substitute teacher
A new home, a new community.
Tony Hudson is a fairly new member of the Horizon Pines Senior Apartments community, after a visit with his sister (and fellow Horizon Pines resident) inspired him to make the move from Texas. “When I got here, I fell in love with Henderson. [It’s] nice and clean, and people seem to be really kind and polite.”
Fortunately, Horizon Pines had an opening, and Tony qualified for the apartment. “As soon as I walked in, I told my ex-wife (and we’re very best friends still to this day – put that in there!). . . . She was all for it, and so was I. . . . Being around new people brings a new attitude. . . [and] there’s a lot of great people here. I feel fortunate to be a part of their lives now. . . . When I come out, there’s not a person I don’t speak to – just to try to brighten up their day, and brighten up my own day. . . . To be here is a blessing.”
Soon after moving in, Tony met Danielle Grimble, Resident Services Coordinator at Horizon Pines, and he immediately noticed that “she’s great at what she does! . . . I think in her eyes, seeing the community [residents] successful in whatever you choose to do makes her happy. And it makes everyone else happy to see a person like this, who has your back.”
A plan to pay it forward.
Once Tony was feeling settled in his new home, he asked Danielle about ideas for part-time work, with a unique area of expertise he hoped to share.
Tony: “I went to Cal State Fullerton and was fortunate enough to win a College World Series [of baseball] there.” In fact, Mr. Hudson was awarded the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award as a sophomore! “I was drafted and played professionally for 10 years. It was a great run – and still is a great run. All those gentlemen I was fortunate to play with, we’re still as close as ever today – and a few live here [in Las Vegas] now!”
Danielle suggested that, given his experience in athletics and coaching, Tony might consider applying to be a substitute teacher with the Clark County School District. She shared, “I always think about that [substitute teaching] when people ask about employment, because in Vegas we have a desperate need. He was so adamant about wanting to do something with his time. So we started the application process, and he would come to me with each next step. . . . I liked the fact that he was so into it. I was excited!”
After a series of interviews and a rigorous review process during the summer with the School District, Tony was approved to become a substitute teacher! He aims to teach physical education classes and do some coaching.
Danielle: “[Tony’s process has] inspired me – because a part of my job is to encourage seniors to be independent. . . . I think the kids are going to love him. I’m advising him to pace it out, try different grade levels, see how he likes it.
Can you make them reach for the stars?
Tony: “I found out these high school kids here [in Las Vegas] are not getting the same opportunity to go to a university as the kids in Texas – to the SEC, where these big schools play. . . . That’s where I come in. . . . The goal is to get a scholarship, and I can help. I can make calls. . . . The fraternity is big – I can’t do it by myself. It takes a whole village to get this done, one kid at a time. . . . because I think we can agree it’s the best time of your life. When you get to experience these great universities – the education, and, if you get lucky enough to play a sport, then it’s really up there.”
“They [the students] need to hear from you. Can you make them feel great? Can you make them reach for the stars? Just talk to them. They’ll tell you their story if you ask the right question. What do you want to do? What do you want to be? How do you really want to live the rest of your life?”
“If someone doesn’t say anything about it, they’re never gonna know. . . . It happened to me. . . . I had people telling me, ‘you can do this,’ but . . . this is a one-time deal – if you’re lucky you might get [an opportunity] twice.”
“You get to this age (that I am now), and you ask, ‘did I work as hard as I can?’ Somebody’s always been there for me. . . . This is my calling now.”
Editor’s note: Mr. Hudson is completing new employee training this fall with the Clark County School District, and will be in the classroom or on the ball field soon! Stay tuned for updates.
#residentservices #morethanahome #affordablehousing
