Every parent hopes their child will find something that sparks passion, builds character, and helps shape who they become. For my daughter Bella, that spark came from the outdoors, and it all started with a neighbor who had a gift for teaching kids the traditions of hunting and fishing.
When Bella first asked me to take her hunting, I didn’t know what to say. Hunting wasn’t something I did, but I knew my neighbor Kenny had been mentoring kids for years. He wasn’t just taking kids out for fun, he was giving them opportunities to learn patience, responsibility, and respect for nature. He even worked with kids who had disabilities, making sure no one was left out of the experience.
Kenny welcomed Bella without hesitation, and from that moment on, she was hooked. Over the years, I watched her grow in ways I never expected. She learned to stick with something new, even when it was challenging. She harvested four bucks, but more importantly, she gained confidence, independence, patience, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a respect for life. As a father, seeing her take initiative and commit to something so wholeheartedly has been one of my proudest experiences.
Eventually, Kenny decided to take his passion to the next level. He wanted to reach more kids, to give them the same opportunities Bella had. That’s when Teaching Our Traditions (TOT) was officially created. What started as one man’s dedication has grown into an organization that is making a real difference in the lives of young people.
Today, Bella is a freshman at Mississippi State University, studying Animal & Dairy Science. I know her time with Kenny and TOT helped guide her toward this path. The lessons she learned in the woods: patience, perseverance, and respect for the natural world, are the same values she carries with her into her studies and her future.
For me, TOT isn’t just an organization. It’s a reminder of what can happen when someone takes the time to invest in kids. It’s about passing down traditions, building confidence, and creating opportunities that last a lifetime. I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the role it has played in my daughter’s life.