THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240250
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 20 QUESTIONS
SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 80 lines
Chavez Mabry's first summer job, sweeping up the kill floor of a meatpacking plant, left him so filthy that he often could not get a ride home from Smithfield to East Suffolk Gardens. He walked because no one wanted him in their car.
His next job, more strenuous but a little cleaner, was loading 70 pound sacks of pine bark on a pallet machine eight hours a day. The two jobs convinced Mabry, then a sophomore at Virginia Union University, to stay in school to finish his education.
Today Mabry, a teacher in Nansemond River High School's Education for Success program, uses his own experiences to motivate his students, all previously at-risk or overage students with failing school records and a feeling that school is their personal enemy.
``We escalate their learning capacity, get them to set goals and don't let them waiver from those,'' he said. ``I don't promise them unrealistic goals but I tell them that an education will give them a better chance of not being eaten up by the street.''
Mabry was a freshman at John F. Kennedy High School when he wandered over to the tennis courts during a break in track practice. Encouraged by the tennis coach, Mabry returned to the courts the next day. He soon realized that tennis was his calling and gave up track as well as football and basketball. ``But my neighborhood was tough and I heard about playing a girls' sport until I started winning and then it was `Yeah, that's my man, playing tennis and heading for the pros.' ''
Mabry has not stopped winning yet. Several times a Suffolk city tennis champion, Mabry coaches boys' and girls' tennis as well as junior varsity boys' basketball at Nansemond River and teaches private tennis lessons to students from as far away as Richmond.
What brought you here? Fate brought me here via the disappointment of a job opportunity closing in Richmond, Virginia, and the need to be closer to my parents.
Birthdate/hometown: July 11, 1966. Born in Lompoc, Calif., but consider Suffolk my hometown.
Fondest childhood memory: Winning the Peanut District tennis singles championship in my senior year at John F. Kennedy High School. To be down 5-3 in the third set and come back to win 7-5 showed courage and desire.
Marital status/children: Single, no children.
Occupation: Teacher and coach at Nansemond River High School.
If you had a choice what other job would you choose: A professional singer, gospel or R & B.
Favorite hangout: Tennis court.
Favorite night out on the town: Going to a basketball game in any part of the state I choose.
Favorite food and drink: Macaroni and cheese, chicken, and lemonade.
Favorite movies/TV show: ``Othello,'' ``Nutty Professor,'' `` Lethal Weapon I and II``/ ``New York Undercover'' and the news.
Book you wish everyone would read: ``The Holy Bible.''
Ideal vacation: Key Biscayne, playing tennis and relaxing with a fruit drink, listening to jazz.
I can't resist: Challenges.
Few people know that: I am very sensitive.
Most embarrassing moment: Getting a bald head at the age of 10 when my older brother took me for a hair cut. The next day I went on a class field trip to the fossil pit and wore a wool hat the entire day in 90 degree heat.
What is the best advice you have been given and by whom: ``The race is not given to the swift nor strong, but to he that endureth to the end.'' From my college friend, Darryl Williams.
If you won the lottery what would you do/buy: A modern facility full of tennis courts, game rooms, pools, basketball courts, and a studio room full of high-tech electronic equipment for students to listen to their favorite music.
What is the best thing about yourself: My will to persevere.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world who would you be and why: The governor of Virginia so I could raise teachers' pay and facilitate appropriate programs that would really help eradicate apathy in our schools to better prepare students for the next century.
What achievements are you most proud of: Graduating from Virginia Union University with honors. It was tough. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II