Showcase Q&A: West Hancock’s Church discusses starting her own business, music and art
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.
HAMILTON, Ill. — DeeDee Church aims to provide John Wood Community College basketball fans with plenty to cheer about in her two years there, but the degree she plans to earn will allow her to give back in an even more impactful way.
Church, a recent Hamilton High School graduate, intends to attain a psychology degree at John Wood before pursuing a business degree and starting her own business that will combine real estate and mental health services.
“I just want to help people, especially kids, in the way that I wasn’t as a child,” Church said.
Church’s goal with this business comes down to one word — comfortability.
“I feel like it’s important for people to have that comfort, like get a comfortable home for themselves and also have the comfort to talk to people when it’s needed,” Church said.
Church sees the need for helping people get through challenging parts of their lives.
“I just feel like as a child, no one really saw me,” Church said. “They just saw anger, I guess. I just want children, even adults, to feel comfortable with themselves and know how to cope with hard situations.”
Church has already picked out a name.
“I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this, but it’s going to be Elevate Real Estate and Mental Health Enterprises,” Church said.
Church outlined the rationale for that name.
“I just want people to see that where I come from doesn’t dictate my future, and I’m always going to elevate above,” Church said.
Church knows starting a business will be difficult, but she is ready to take that challenge head-on.
“It will be hard, and just starting out, I might just have to start with one of them (either real estate or mental helath),” Church said. “When you start businesses, nine times of 10, they fail the first time you start it. That will definitely be a challenge.”
Church discussed her future at John Wood, music, art and more with Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey in this Showcase Q&A.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Muddy River Showcase?
A: Getting to know and play with the girls that I’ve played against, and I just want to have fun.
Q: So, this is a little appetizer for you playing in this gym. How cool is it that you get to play there in an all-star game before you play there as a college player?
A: It will be surreal. I don’t think I’m going to think about that at the moment. I’m still thinking about my freshman year in high school.
Q: What attracted you to John Wood?
A: Originally, it was the coaches, but I was still going to go to John Wood just because if I was to commute, it would be easier for me to do that, and I still wanted to play basketball.
Q: Has basketball been an outlet for you to show who you are and express yourself?
A: Basketball has really helped me because during the winter months is when I’m more down. Basketball gives me an outlet because it helps me keep going and channel that in a positive way.
Q: Describe Dettriona Church, the basketball player.
A: One thing I do really well is I pick up on things easily just by watching. I can watch someone do something, try to do it, and I can do it in the first couple tries. I’m a quick learner.
Q: Are there a few girls in particular you’re looking forward to playing with?
A: I know of a few girls I’ve played against. I’m just excited to get to know my teammates and have a bond with people outside of my comfort zone. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m very shy when it comes to meeting new people.
Q: That will change this time, won’t it?
A: I hope so.
Q: What was your favorite class in high school?
A: Probably art with Ms. Sarah Bennett.
Q: Why is that?
A: I just felt like she really got me. I love art, but she made it better because we could just talk about anything and it wouldn’t be weird. We’re very much alike, and I like that about us.
Q: What do you like to do art-wise? Do you sketch? Draw? Paint?
A: I’m really bad at painting, but I love to draw and sketch.
Q: Have you always been that way?
A: Yeah, I’ve always loved art.
Q: What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever drawn?
A: I’ve always been into drawing faces.
Q: Do you remember one in particular you did a really good job on or that you were proud of?
A: Not in particular.
Q: Do you have any pregame superstitions?
A: I just always have to listen to music. It doesn’t have to be the same music. I just have to listen to music. When I’m nervous, no one can really tell that I’m nervous besides the fact that I don’t talk.
Q: Do you have an artist or genre you gravitate towards?
A: Yes, it’s always Rod Wave.
Q: So, you just pop in your headphones and vibe, then?
A: Yep.
Q: Why Rod Wave?
A: I’ve always had a connection with him, I guess. I feel like we relate in certain ways.
Q: In what ways?
A: He takes his pain into something positive for other people.
Q: What other hobbies do you have outside of basketball?
A: I just like to hangout with my friends and create memories with them and sleep.
Q: Do you like to travel?
A: Whenever I can, yes.
Q: What’s your favorite place you’ve been?
A: When I was little, we’d always go to Destin, Fla., with my dad’s side of the family. It was just better when we were younger because I feel like we all got along.
Q: Are you nervous to go to college? Excited? Both?
A: I’m really nervous just about the responsibility part. My parents have always been there. Even though it’s not that far, it’s not going to be like, ‘You’re late for school. Come on, wake up.’ They’re just not going to be everywhere I am, in my corner 24/7 like they are right now.
Check out more of the Muddy River Showcase Q&As at the links below:
Payson Seymour’s Blake Schwartz
South Shelby’s Callie McWilliams
West Hancock’s Lewis Siegfried
Quincy Notre Dame’s Alex Dance
Central-Southeastern’s Lauren Miller
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