Thursday, Jan. 3, will be a memorable day for one young Bainbridge man. 

It’s the day he headed off to Fort Lee in Virginia to begin Advanced Individual Training with the U.S. Army.

Drey-Shon Scott is happy that his life has turned around. 

“I was a bad kid,” said Scott. “I was in trouble…a lot!” 

Trouble did seem to follow Scott, that is, until members of the Bainbridge Public Safety “Kids ‘n Kops” Program stepped in.

Back in 2014, Scott was a ninth grader at Bainbridge High School, and struggling.  It just so happens that during that time, mentors with the Kids ‘n Kops program approached the high school and asked to be paired with students who needed extra attention and a positive role model in their lives. 

Mentor Billy Ward was paired with Scott.  They didn’t know each other then, but now, over four years later, they can’t imagine their lives without each other.

According to Ward, he first met Scott when he was in ninth grade. They began spending time together, just doing ordinary things like fishing or having meals together at a restaurant. 

As time went on, Scott’s life began to change for the better.  He listened to Ward’s advice and his counseling, and trusted his guidance. 

“Drey-Shon knew that when he got into trouble, he could call me,” said Ward. “And he did, sometimes in the middle of the night.  I would always be there for him.” 

Over the next few years, they continued to spend time together. Ward especially enjoyed when they attended BHS Bearcat football games, and rode together on the Kids ‘n Kops float in parades.

Last May, Scott was thrilled to make it to Graduation Day, and Ward was there providing friendship and support. After graduation, Scott decided to enlist in the army and he headed off for Basic Training.  Now with Basic completed, Billy will be driving his young friend to the airport on Thursday afternoon to see him off on his next adventure at Fort Lee.

Before leaving town, Scott and Ward stopped by Bainbridge Public Safety to give their thanks to some of the officers, like “Kids ‘n Kops” Coordinator Sergeant David Cutchin, who play a large part in the success of the program. 

For more information on partnering with Bainbridge Public Safety and the “Kids ‘n Kops” program, contact Sergeant David Cutchin at 229-248-2038.