Tag Archive for: Mormon

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NBA Star Addresses Faith Issues

By Ernie Geigenmiller

VANCOUVER, WA — Milwaukee Bucks Forward, Jabari Parker, who was the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, addressed an audience of several hundred at a local LDS meetinghouse Wednesday night.

Parker, 20, who’s graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, and was named National High School Player of the Year, is also the first African-American Mormon to play professional basketball.The NBA player was in town competing against the Blazers Tuesday night, and found time to address a congregation of mostly youth.

He was introduced by the Bucks Strength Coach, Michael Davie, a fellow Mormon. Davie discussed issues of faith, struggle and integrity, and how people should express kindness toward others each day.

The event organizers showed a brief ABC News segment with Katie Couric, from three years ago, that showed Parker attending early morning seminary classes, and how well he performed in prep school.

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The building was mostly filled with fans.
Couric asked him several questions about his faith, and in particular, the ongoing misconceptions about Mormonism.  Parker said his “faith kept him grounded, but that I have to explain my religion quite often to people.”

He addressed the Vancouver congregation by saying, “What’s up everybody?”

Parker, who’s 6 feet, nine inches tall, said being in the limelight as a basketball player is a challenge, but that “I’m no bigger than anyone else.”

“We have to acknowledge God, and remember that everyone is a child of God,” he said. “You have to have compassion and be a team player on the court, and recognize that we all make mistakes. We’re not perfect, so don’t judge.”

Parker said he started attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the church is formally known, when he was 7.“I have a very strong testimony of the Gospel,” he said. “I read the scriptures often, and my dad taught me that charity is putting yourself second.” 

 

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Camas resident, Ethan Convey, waits for an autograph.

 

During the 90-minute session, audience members were able to write down questions, and have a moderator read those questions to Parker, and Davie.

One of those questions was: “How do you keep your personal standards while working in the NBA?”

Davie said: “These choices were made a long time ago, choices not to drink and to obey the law of chastity.”

Parker replied: “The influence of my youth leaders growing up helped get me here today. And using a basketball analogy, practice makes perfect. You have to keep praying to God, keep reading the scriptures. You have to be nice to people every day. I attribute all my success to God.”

Parker, who grew up in Chicago, Illinois, said his biggest challenge was breaking his foot when he was a junior. He played on a national team, and the doctor warned him of the consequences if he didn’t allow himself to heal properly.

He also addressed issues of peer pressure. “You know, a lot of people wanted to be my friend for the wrong reasons. I had to learn how to deal with that.”

He concluded his message with the following:

“The Gospel brings me more happiness than anything … You have the responsibility to share light with someone.”

He also said he practices 5 hours a day, and doesn’t have a girlfriend.

“It was awesome to have an NBA star right here in Vancouver,” said Jefferson Jackson, 14, of Camas. Jackson came along with his mom, Temple Jackson, his brother, Marc, and friends Ben Brittain, Calvin Wight, and Harrison Wight.

Parker stayed afterwards to shake hands, as well as sign autographs and take pictures with legions of adoring fans.

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From left: Camas residents Ben Brittain, Calvin Wight, Jefferson Jackson, Temple Jackson.

 

 

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Vanderwood Appointed to Superior Court

VANCOUVER – Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s office announced Friday the appointment of civil lawyer Derek Vanderwood, a long-time Camas resident, to be Clark County’s newest Superior Court judge.
Vanderwood, a partner at the firm English, Lane, Marshall & Vanderwood, succeeds Judge John Nichols, who retired this month after serving 18 years on the bench.
“Derek has a long-standing reputation in Clark County for being a smart and committed lawyer,” Inslee said in a prepared statement. “I know he’s ready to take on this role and serve the people in a new capacity.”
Derek Vanderwood, of Camas.
Friday’s announcement was the culmination of a months-long process, which began last summer when Judge Nichols announced his retirement. At that time, Gov. Inslee posted a notification for application with a mid-September deadline.
Vanderwood was one of three applicants, which included Clark County Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Fairgrieve and criminal defense attorney Christopher Ramsay. Each applicant had the opportunity to present their case to the Clark County Bar Association, as well as conduct interviews with Gov. Inslee and the General Counsel.
“I look forward to this wonderful opportunity to serve,” said Vanderwood. “I’ll be wrapping up matters at my practice, which will take some time. I’ll likely start serving in this new position in late February.”
Vanderwood has been practicing law in Washington state since 1994, and has lived in Clark County since 1996. At his Vancouver firm, he focuses on injury claims, civil litigation, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and consumer safety cases.
One of his highest profile cases involved a suit against Hyundai for defective seats in which the jury awarded the plaintiff, Jesse Magna, $8 million. Vanderwood and firm partner, Dennis Lane, represented Magna, who was ejected from the vehicle during a late 90s automobile accident. The award was appealed to the state’s highest court, and was ultimately upheld.
Vanderwood, who is originally from Grand Junction, Colo., is married to Allison Teuscher Vanderwood, who grew up in Clark County. They have five children – four sons and one daughter – who have all attended Camas public schools.
Service to community is part of Vanderwood’s life, as he has been serving as a Bishop (an ecclesiastical leader) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Camas since 2012. The voluntary, non-paid position requires many hours each week dedicated to serving church members and local residents. He also volunteers his time serving the community at large in other capacities, such as being a parent volunteer at Camas Little League, among other organizations.
Vanderwood’s supporters say, “He follows the letter of the law, and is very much into respecting individual privacy rights.”
“In the Washington judicial system there are two trial courts: District and Superior,” said Vanderwood. “Superior is the higher court and the distinction is in size and ramification. The Superior Court works with more serious criminal cases, as well as large financial claims. Over time I will be working on a mix of family, criminal, civil, and juvenile cases, and that can change with rotations.”
While Vanderwood has primarily focused on his law practice, he said he’s been drawn to serving on the bench in recent years, and looks forward to the opportunity.
He will need to run for election in November 2015. Each Superior Court judicial term is four years.
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