Hey everybody! Thank you all so much for being here to celebrate Kentrell’s 30th birthday. It is an honor to stand here today and give a tribute to someone who means so much to me. Today isn’t just about celebrating another birthday. It’s about celebrating the amazing person Kentrell has become and everything he has done for our family over the years.
Kentrell has always been there for me ever since I was little, but his strength really showed when our father passed away. That was one of the hardest times our family has ever gone through, and everything felt different. Even though he was dealing with the loss too, he never stopped thinking about us. He didn’t just become the oldest brother he became a mentor, a role model, and someone we could always count on. He stepped up without anyone asking him to because he knew our family needed someone to help keep us together.
He became even more involved in our lives, making sure we stayed on the right path and had the guidance we needed. He always checked on us, encouraged us to make good choices, and reminded us that we could achieve anything if we worked hard. He sacrificed so much of his own time to be there for us; whether it was helping with school, giving us advice about life, taking us places, or just listening whenever we needed someone to talk to. No matter how busy he was, he always found time for us. And that meant more than he probably realizes.
One of my favorite memories with Kentrell is when he gave me the money to buy our little brother a pair of basketball shoes because he wanted to take basketball seriously. He asked me to train him. I realized that I wanted to help my little brother the same way Kentrell has always helped me. Watching the way Kentrell cared for us and always wanted the best for us taught me what it means to be a good big brother. Because of him, I wanted to set a good example and be someone my younger brother can look up to too. Kentrell’s patience, wisdom, and support have been a guiding light for all of us. He has taught us to stay strong, keep working hard, and never give up, even when life gets difficult. I honestly don’t know where I would be without him. He has had such a positive impact on my life, and I know my brothers feel the same way.
We are all so thankful for the person you are and the leader you’ve become for this family. Your influence on all of us is something that can never be replaced. You have shown us what responsibility, love, and family really look like. Seeing you reach “the unc age of 30” today makes me incredibly proud.
Happy 30th birthday, Kentrell. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us and for always believing in us. We love you. We’re proud of you. And we hope this next chapter of your life brings you nothing but happiness, success, and many more great memories.
Deangelo Dean – Fenwick High School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: AungMyo – Adobe Stock