Y2K Academy Names Southampton County School Employeee, Mr. John Wyche, Y2K11 Dad of the Year!

June 19, 2011 - PRLog -- (SUFFOLK, VA) – To celebrate and encourage responsible fatherhood in Hampton Roads, Y2K Academy held its 2nd annual “Y2K Dadz of the Year Awards competition and ceremony. Ten dads were honored during the event Sunday, June 12, 2011 at The Shepherd’s Center in Suffolk, Virginia. The awards ceremony was a climax to a weeklong celebration June 12-19, 2011 “Responsible Fatherhood Appreciation Week,” recognized by Suffolk Mayor Linda Johnson in a citywide proclamation. In January of 2010, Y2K Academy received a US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Family Assistance National Responsible Fatherhood Capacity-Building Initiative grant.

Sponsors for this year’s event included: The Master’s House Church, Quality Community Supports, Inc., Suffolk Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites, Suffolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority, Crown Trophy, and Courtland-based A Vann Gerr Driving Improvement School.

A crowd of about 100 local citizens and community leaders gathered to witness the honorees receive their awards which came from nominations of friends and family members. Mr. Don Roberts, WAVY TV 10 News Anchor delivered the keynote address.
John Wyche, a Southampton Middle School employee, was nominated by his sister, Ms. Nettie Morton. A portion of Ms. Morton’s nomination describing Mr. Wyche’s commitment to fatherhood is below:

“John Wyche is 71 years old.  He has opened his heart and his home to his step children, step grand-children and in-laws.  Several of his children are grown and have moved on, but, there are at least nine (9) step children/step grand-children residing in his home, all but one is in school.  They are 8 years – up.  John has attended on invitation, the Steve Harvey Father Son event in Orlando, Florida.  He attends all activities of each child, time permitting,  He attends, with his family PTA Conferences, church, Sunday School, choir rehearsal, and all other instances applicable to the growth of the children.  Each and every morning before leaving for school there is a mandatory prayer including hugs and kisses with after school discussion of the day’s events.  This reflects teaching family and Christian values with evening prayer as well.”

Nine other fathers were recognized by the organization, and presented with trophies from sponsor, Crown Trophy of Virginia Beach.

Delores “DeeDee” Ricks-Gee, of Pulsar Advertising emceed the ceremony. The Suffolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority Executive Director, Ms. Clarissa McAdoo attended the event, and also served as an event sponsor.

Y2K Academy Founder, Dr. Princella Johnson revealed during the ceremony that a back to school rally encouraging father involvement is the next responsible fatherhood event on the agenda for Friday, August 19, 2011 at the City of Suffolk’s Lake Meade Kids Zone Park behind the Main Street Farm Fresh. Military commands, youth groups, schools, community organizations and businesses interested in participating should contact the Y2K main office to get involved with the “Fathers as First Teachers on the First Day of School” LaRue’s Kids Back to School Rally.  

The initiative is a Y2K Dadz school drop-out prevention program whose first objective is to have fathers take their children to school on the first day of the school year. Donations of school supplies and back packs are needed.

Y2K11 Dadz of the Year receiving recognition included: Mr. John Wyche, Dad of the Year; Pastor Sylvester Silver, Christian Dad; Mr. Darrin Holmes, Community Servant Dad; Mr. Gerald Greene, Single Dad; Mr. Jermaine Massenburg, 2nd Chance Dad as well as five runners up.

Y2K Academy is a Christ-centered youth and parental mentoring agency with the distinction of developing Virginia’s first-ever online mentoring program.  Mentors are needed for youth and Dads. For more information or interviews, please contact, Dr. Princella Johnson, (757) 925-4545 Ext. 102.

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Y2K Academy is a Christ-centered youth and parental mentoring agency with the distinction of developing Virginia’s first-ever online mentoring program. Contact Dr. Princella Johnson, 757-925-4545 Ext.102. Visit us: http://y2kacademy.webs.com