Thelma Moton never planned to start a nonprofit to serve teenagers, yet the Twin Groves native had big dreams for the young people in her community. “I was looking at the little girls in my neighborhood making bad choices, [and reflecting on] some of the choices I had made, and I said someone has to step in,” says Moton.

In 1991, with a small army of women alongside her, she developed a mentoring program for young girls called Prim n Proper. A teacher at Conway Junior High School heard about the mentorship program and asked Moton to speak to the school’s students. Moton and a team of volunteers began hosting workshops at Conway area schools, eventually speaking to all students.

They did this for 7 years without funding until someone from Focus on the Family reached out and encouraged Moton to seek government funding for nonprofits. After acquiring funding and a wide range of community support the organization became Choosing To Excel.

Thirty years later, Choosing to Excel covers cities in 12 counties in Central and Eastern Arkansas. "Kids matter, and kids need to know that they matter," says Moton. "Some kids feel trapped because they make certain choices, and parents need assistance to learn how to start over.” That is the driving force behind Choosing to Excel.

Being the voice of the youth was a role that Dandrick Moton stepped into easily during his life. Many of the programs he helped spearhead remain in place at Choosing to Excel today.

Throughout his lifetime, Dandrick held many esteemed positions: he served as Director of Community/Youth Relations for Choosing to Excel, was named to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS under the George W. Bush administration, was on the board of the African American Abstinence Youth Conference, and was the keynote speaker for the AAAYC at Hampton University and Morehouse University.

Coaching was also a huge passion in Dandrick’s life. He was the Head Athletic Director for junior high and high school boys at Conway Christian Academy. To him, holding this position was not just to coach the game; it was to teach the life lessons that go along with learning the game.

Dandrick’s ethics and morals came from the influence of his parents. His mother is the founder of Choosing to Excel, and his father is a self-employed businessman.

“I have never seen my father miss a day of work, and my mother taught me to do things right no matter what happens, to keep the end in mind” Dandrick said.

His parents’ influence taught Dandrick the values of hard work and integrity and some very important life lessons. Dandrick took these lessons to heart as he shared with others the positive and loving background that he had been given.

From the basketball court to The White House, Dandrick's example and message made a lasting impact that continues to influence youth to make positive choices.

His legacy lives on; his voice is still heard.