In many ways, John Queen is a living example of what Chestertown wants more of. John, the father of two young children, decided four years ago to relocate to Kent County from Washington, D.C. to try the “country life” after an unexpected job offer from Dixon Valve came through.
The move also allowed him to be closer to his life-long friends, brothers Paul and Pierre Tue, who came from the same DC neighborhood, but who had also decided to move to the Eastern Shore. And it was due to this reunion that caused the creation of the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. (Helping Our Youth Achieve Success) program while the three friends watched Sunday football a few years back.
In his interview with the Spy, John talks about their mentoring organization and the use of basketball to provide an important hook for tutoring and reading programs. He also talks about the need for leadership and role models to improve the lives of kids in Kent County.
This video is approximately six minutes in length
A.C. Godwin says
Good for John Queen.
He’s seen the need, and he has the enthusiasm and understanding necessary to carry through his ideas.
Let’s hope that there’ll be more help to hop on his bandwagon.
Barbara in den Bosch says
Great interview, John. Thank you for starting such a valuable program here. It is just what the Kent youth needed. Thanks for doing what the rest of us just talk about.
Andrew Meehan says
I applaud the work of the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. This program is a homegrown effort that encourages their members to embrace commitment to school performance, community service, and fun in the process.
The H.O.Y.A.S. do not shy away from tough issues. Over the summer, the H.O.Y.A.S. kids read “Yummy, The Last Days of A Southside Shorty,” by Greg Neri, winner of a 2011 Coretta Scott King Book Award. The book is a fictionalized graphic account of Robert “Yummy” Sandifer, an 11 year-old Chicago gang member who allegedly killed a young girl and was thereafter allegedly murdered by fellow gang members before he could be apprehended by the police. After reading the book, the kids considered what a trial of Yummy would have looked like had he been arrested, instead of being killed.
Putting thought into action, the H.O.Y.A.S members scripted the trial and played the roles of Yummy as defendant, judge, prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses and jurors. The mock trial took place in the Kent County District Court room on November 28. I was honored to help in the effort, along with H.O.Y.A.S. leaders John Queen and Paul Tue, Natalie Lane of the Kent County Public Library, Clerk of Court Mark Mumford, Chestertown Police Chief Adrian Baker, Bridgette Goldsborough, Barbie Glenn, LCSW, Kent County attorney Steve Meehan, and Judge Joseph McCurdy presiding over the mock trial with his youthful judicial colleague.
Everyone did their part to give a superb performance for those who filled the packed courtroom. The exercise also strived to demystify the court system and provide insight into how it functions, and offer encouragement to pursue a career in the law or criminal justice.
John Queen and Paul and Pierre Tue have put words into action to create opportunities for local youth on the verge of adulthood to find avenues for positive development. I encourage community members interested in helping to create opportunity for our youth to join in this effort.
Andrew Meehan
John Queen says
The Bayside H.O.Y.A.S, Hoyas being an acronym for “Helping Our Youth Achieve Success” is a youth program which targets young men from the ages of 11-17 to help them better themselves through school, home and community.
We perform various activities such as community clean up projects, book clubs, Study halls and basketball just to name a few. We are smart, respectful, dedicated, motivated, young men who are trying to impact our community with positive change! If you or anyone you know is interested on joining, supporting or donating contact us at [email protected]
Stay up to date with all the latest activities and events of “The Bayside H.O.Y.A.S” Helping Our Youth Achieve Success, youth program on “Twitter” Follow us @BaysideHoyas and find us on Facebook @Bayside Hoyas and Utube @Bayside Hoyas
Type “Bayside Hoyas” in your search engine and read about our wonderful program!
Invest in at risk youth and their future by donating to the “Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., Inc”
youth program Send checks, cash or money orders to P.O. box 22 Chestertown, Md 21620.
Checks should be made to Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., Inc and your donation is tax deductible.
Thanks for your support!
John Moag says
Great stuff! Thanks to Mr. Queen for his generosity and leadership and for recognizing the unique challenges facing our young people in our rural environment. We need more like him.