P.B. Lakes valedictorian credits parents for work ethic
Academic and athletic success came with determination and a lot of hard work for Palm Beach Lakes High School valedictorian Ty Hands.
He credits his parents, Tera and Lorenzo Hands, who are both teachers and were once athletes, with having been a good example for working hard to achieve success.
“I think my work ethic derives from my parents,” Hands said. “They just preached to me to work hard and no matter what you do, (make) success and excellence the overall theme of your life.”
Hands said juggling sports and academics has been very challenging but it also has taught him the value of time management.
“My biggest challenge has been balancing my athletic career and my academic career,” he said. “With me playing two sports and also doing dual enrollment at Palm
Beach State (College) Palm Beach Gardens, it was pretty tough finding that median.”
Hands, of West Palm Beach, ends his high school career with a GPA of 3.96 and HPA of 4.96.
Hands is also a student in the Five Carat Choice Program Medical Academy at Palm Beach Lakes.
His extracurricular activities include basketball, track and field, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Key Club and Best Buddies.
“Best Buddies is a group that allows high school students to interact with ESOL students,” Hands said. “Some (of these students) have mental and physical (disabilities).”
One of the lessons he’s learned is the importance of being yourself, Hands said.
“Don’t change according to or trying to please other people,” he said. “You can’t please everybody. There are going to be people who don’t agree with what you’re doing or with the person that you are. So being true to yourself is very important.”
Hands said he plans on attending Florida State University in Tallahassee and play basketball as a walk-on.
“I want to continue on my medical (path) on the way to becoming an orthopedic surgeon,” he said.
Hands said other than his parents, his mentor has been Palm Beach Lakes High School valedictorian from two years ago Ijahala Pottinger.
“She’s really helped me along the way, giving me advice, things to do and not to do,” he said. “She’s helped me a lot in the last two years.”
Hands said he works hard academically in his medical classes and athletically to show his little brother, Trey, that he can also do it.
“I am a hardworking guy because I want to be a good example,” he said. “I’m just trying to be the best that I can be.” Q&A
What are your hobbies?
Aside from (hanging out) with my little brother and basketball, I love track and field. I love the high jump. I’m competing right now to try and get my fourth district championship.
What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
I think I would go to Johns Hopkins (and sit in on a surgery) and actually view a hands-on surgery right in front of me.
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?
Dr. T. Leroy Jefferson because he was the first African-American doctor in (West Palm Beach) and he helped people in our neighborhood. I have questions about how he did it.
What is the best advice you ever received?
It was a quote from Henry Ford.“If you believe in yourself, you’re right. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re also right.”
He’s basically saying you can do whatever you like if you believe in yourself. So I think it really motivated me to have confidence in whatever I’m doing. What event in history would you have liked to of witnessed?
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech because that’s a big speech for everyone who is African-American and it’s a part of African-American history.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Playing in my first organized basketball game. I was very young but my first game was exciting for my family. Meeting Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant were also huge moments for me.
Who is your hero, someone who inspires you?
Myron Rolle. He played football at Florida State University. He was a Rhodes Scholar. He was the perfect example of an awesome student athlete.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I want to be in the top of whatever I do and wherever I am. It’s where I am naturally. It’s something in my DNA.
What three things would you bring with you if you were stuck on a desert island?
My med kit, a TV to watch
Netflix so I won’t get bored and a basketball.