This Week We Feature Young Professional DaShan O. Hodge
With a strong positive influence from a male figure in the family, there is such an impact that young men and women can in the future play a great role in influencing those who were not fortunate enough to have that male ‘backbone’ to impact their lives positively.
That is an assurance that is refreshed whenever you speak to a young man or young woman and they speak highly of the role of their father or a male figure who would have assumed that role in their lives.
Our Young Professional Mr. DaShan O. Hodge aka ‘Mouse’ was one such person that not only took his hat off to his father he, not literally, took his hat off, bowed down and washed the feet of his dad Mr. Kelvin E. Hodge when he said, “unlike most persons whose role model tend to be someone rich or famous my role model always has been and will continue to be my father.”
He described his dad as a very humble man. “To begin with, although he didn't have the opportunity to go to college he managed to always be there for his family even if it meant being hungry or spending his last, so basically the father he has been to us that’s the father I try to be to my daughter. He is hardworking, ambitious and always has a positive and optimistic attitude.”
His mother who is currently the Principal of the Ebenezer Primary School in Sea Cow’s Bay, Tortola, Mrs. Sybil S. Hodge also came in for showers of accolades as he recognized her as the shoulders on which his dad’s head was firmly placed, the arms that held her children close in love and the heart that drummed the order of the day especially when it came to discipline.
“My mother was and has always been a teacher and she was a teacher at the same primary school where I attended so when I did my mischief at school I got a whooping there and a second one when I got home,” he said with the humble reminiscent smile plastered across his face. He did say he was no angel as a little boy growing up but was not the type one could have called ‘bad boy’.
Today he is happily married to his wife who he adores Mrs. Tamarei K. A. Hodge and fathers their only child so far little Tekarrah K. A. Hodge.
Today DaShan O. Hodge is an Accounts Officer within the Treasury Department of the Government of the Virgin Islands for some ten years now. However it has been some six years that he has been in that particular department.
He said that it has been his knack for figures that has him doing such a job with ease and comfort and being in the department he has become part of another family setting. He said that because of this, he greatly enjoys his job and isn't just turning up everyday only to take home a pay cheque at the end of the month.
While he is very fond of his career in the government system, private enterprise is his ultimate goal. He said that one day he will be the owner of his own well established business the idea of which he shared with us but would not disclose publicly just yet as it is so unique it might just tempt someone to steal it and run with it ahead of him.
But it wouldn’t be long before he gets to the point of bringing that dream to life. Already he does his own little thing on the side and for those who frequent West End would know of his car wash business named KMS Car Washing.
As his parents were to him he is committed to being an influence in the lives of not only his offspring but those of his community. For some years now he has been coaching the popular young basketball team from West End named the Jr West Gunners and he also plays for the West End Gunners which is the senior team.
“I just love being a good influence to youths, I love being around and with them. I got drafted into coaching when one year I was asked to assist but since then I was never able to sneak out of it,” he said.
He is also the Public Relations Officer of the group in West End which had championed the cause of fundraising for the late Shaheem Richards named 'West Side Konnekshun'.
Among the things he enjoys doing, like sailing, playing basketball, travelling and such like he has a passion for horses. The 32 year old recalled that in the earlier stages of his growing up, he was a horse trainer as well as he owned a few horses one of which was the then popular ‘Personal Hearing’ who has some winnings under his belt.
While today he does that no more you can bet to find him present at every horse race there is in the Territory. “I even travel overseas as far as Florida just for horse racing; I love that very much, very much.”
To youths of today he had this to say, “First remember always to put God first in your life. Without God nothing is possible. The next thing is to be discipline and be self motivated. You don’t have to depend on what everyone says to decide what you want to and will become. Advice is always very good but you have to be self motivated and know what you want for your life. And too, remember that you cannot please everyone.”
But did you ever wonder how he came to be called the nick-name ‘Mouse’? He would tell you that growing up he was very short and very athletic. So when on the track during school sports he was like a little ‘Mouse’ between the taller ones he had to compete with. And yes he outran many of the tall boys many times.
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