Local Athletes, Hometown Hero Celebrate MLK with Friendly Competition

Before he became an Olympic gold medalist at the 1996 Summer Games, Derrick Adkins was just a boy growing up in Lakeview, attending and trying to do his best.

Today Adkins attributes much of his success to two men - Charles Nanton, the current Chairperson of the Lakeview Youth Federation, and Colbert Britt, who continues to coach Malverne track. 

"[They have done some great things for me," Adkins told Patch. "I don't think any of [my success] would have happened if I hadn't started so young with opportunities provided to me by the Lakeview Youth Federation." (Watch the video interview with Adkins.)

It was because of the impact the program and the Malverne schools had on Adkins, that he serves on the advisory board of the Lakeview Youth Federation today and made sure to attend the 20th Annual Friendship Games this Monday. The track event is cosponsored by the Lakeview Youth Federation and the Malverne School District as a means to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. through friendly competition involving students from different races and background. Adkins helped distribute some of the awards to the winners and met with many of the athletes.

"It doesn't matter whether you win or lose," Nanton said. "It's about teaching life lessons on the joy of competing. Some of these people have never ran a race before."

He also pointed out that there were schools participating from all four conferences. Being a Division 4 school, Malverne did not qualify for the Championship events, but in the open meet held earlier in the morning, senior William Ebron medaled, earning second place in the semi-final of the 55m with a time of 6:90 and fifth in the 300m final with a time of 41:70.

"It's a great chance to show off the physical talents of these young people," said Bea Bayley, president of the Lakeview NAACP, who was present at the event. Other local politicians, including State Sen. Kemp Hannon, also attended. "It's important to support the youth."

Nanton said the Lakeview Youth Federation, an all-volunteer non-profit organization created in 1976, strives to teach young people can become good citizens, stay in school and refrain from using drugs through its sports programs. The Friendship Games started out of the Junior Olympics.

"When we first started, we didn't have anything," Nanton said, jokingly adding,"We had to beg, borrow and steal."

Now, the program relies on grants secured by local politicians and private donors.

"This year we had budget cuts," Nanton explained. "But thanks to the efforts o four volunteers we were able to pay for it with all private donations."

The games hit a milestone this year, making "two decades of excellence," Nanton said. "This is meet is very important."

The games incorporated schools from all across Long Island and the students were reminded "While competing, remember the man we remember today," in programs bearing the image of Martin Luther King Jr. There was another special man that was also being honored at the meet as well. This year's games were dedicated to Retired Commissioner Harold E. Addams, who passed away the day after Christmas.

Adams served on the Nassau County Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction - now known as the Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Development Disabilities, and founded a philanthropic organization that focused on funding a summer camp for young people who have been affected by drugs, alcohol, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. He also served on numerous other committees and coalitions aimed at improving the local communities on Long Island. His legacy lives on and today he is considered an honorary member of the Lakeview Youth Federation. Adams' widow was present at the event and handed out some of the trophies.

"He's looking down on us from above," Nanton added.