If you see his name on paper, you probably wouldn’t know who it was. Donald R. Tyson III .

But, if you say Trey Tyson , well, now that is a different story all together. Trey was hired on 5/2/2019 after interviewing with David Sellwood and Hendrix Brakefield. He started as a Summer Rec Staff, and he was hooked. Since starting here, he has been a part-time Rec Staff, and is now the Life skills Teacher, AND the Special Olympics Coordinator. He had originally applied for a Groundskeeper position the day he interviewed, but the supervisor at the time was not able to talk to him, so Trey spent the time talking with Melissa Ford instead.

Trey says the best part of his job are his co-workers and the residents. He loves coming to work because no day is ever the same as the last. He said the students attitudes are the most consistent part of his job, and once you know them, interpreting their needs is easier. The biggest change since he started here has been the drop in enrollment since the students were sent home for COVID.

Trey pondered his best memory for a while before he settled on it. But it was easy to tell he was moved when recalling the moment, as his voice changed and smile widened. His first year being involved with basketball, he was able to announce Abby as the MVP. He said it meant so much because he had been able to witness her integration into the student body since enrolling, how she had evolved, and come to love the school and take pride in being a part of it.

In his free time, Trey enjoys watching horror movies. He is an interesting conversationalist and knows a plethora of facts & tidbits about a lot of subjects. He plays Magic the Gathering (a card game) competitively for money, and has a collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia. IF he had not come to Stewart Home, Trey feels like he would be working as an accountant somewhere.

Favorites

Book – House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Movie – Singing in the Rain (he had a big crush on Debbie Reynolds)

Restaurant – My Saigon

Sports Team – UofL Cardinals and the Los Angeles Lakers

Sport to play – Tennis

Season – Fall

Vacation Spot – HOME!! He likes Staycations! (He hates the heat & sand, but he would like to go on an Alaskan Cruise ).

When asked what he is most famous for, he grinned and said the Basketball Recaps posted on the website. He said he has been recognized when out in town by viewers that have seen the Facebook posts. I asked him if the sparkly jacket was a throwback to Elvis, and he laughed. “Not originally, but it has become part of the persona”. He has been told he could work for ESPN!!

The craziest thing that has ever happened to him was when he won $1000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket from Kroger. SH&S were the winners when you joined out team, Trey!

–Krista Lumpkins