
Wednesday, January 15
7:00 a.m.
The dawn of a new year is a time of reflection, hope, and transformation. It's a moment when we pause to look back on the challenges and triumphs of the past and set our sights on the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
I have done it before, but can I share my story again? It speaks to so much of the enthusiasm you and I both share for Thomasville in 2025.
Like you, I love transformation.
I have two pictures that I treasure. They tell a captivating tale.
The two snapshots reveal a stark disparity. A tale of the past versus a vision of the future, where a once barren front yard becomes an oasis for vibrant community.
These are two pictures of my old neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia.

In the first photograph, the building stands stoically under the relentless gaze of the sun, devoid of any respite. It is a desolate scene, where nature’s touch seems distant.
The unforgiving rays of the sun bombard the building, imposing their fiery dominance, leaving a sense of aridity and absence in their wake.
But the second picture shows a mesmerizing depiction of what came to be.

A symphony of colors and textures unfolds beneath a lush canopy of trees, casting dancing shadows and inviting cool breezes. The contrast is striking; what was once a desolate landscape is now a flourishing garden, a haven of joy and abundance.
Look closer and the signs of life become more apparent.
Toys scattered on the grass, evidence of laughter and playful moments shared by children, fill the frame. Comfortable chairs beckon residents to relax and revel in the serenity of their surroundings.
The aroma of grilled food and flowers creates a symphony of scent. Planters brimming with lush foliage adorn every corner, adding a touch of nature’s grace to the building’s facade. And there, in the corner, a swing gracefully sways, inviting young and old alike to soar toward new heights of joy.
The two pictures are special to me because they so vividly demonstrate our passion for transformation here in Thomasville.
My old neighborhood, in Arlington, had some of the worst air pollution levels in the U.S. It also had an astonishing lack of trees. We founded Friends of High View Park Neighborhood Group and we started planting trees.
Who knew trees could make such a difference?
Through the planting of over one hundred trees, the barren transformed into the bountiful, and the drab into the delightful. The two pictures are a before and after snapshot of an apartment building in our neighborhood.
SPARK THOMASVILLE
The two pictures make me think of Thomasville now, and Thomasville in ten years, after you and Spark have "planted" hundreds of underestimated entrepreneurs.
The "picture" you are creating with Spark Thomasville will be equally amazing!
We are changing our world. The seeds we are sowing through SPARK are already sprouting into a vibrant symphony. We are turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
You, our entrepreneurs, coaches, and Spark are a winning combination in 2025.
DeShay
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