Who can give kids hope? The Candy Man can

Nicholas Brooks signs autographs for Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School third-graders Brandy White, left, Gabrielle Jethro and Ja'Mya Handy. PROVIDED PHOTO/BND Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2013/09/22/2806671/who-can-give-the-kids-hope-the.html#storylink=cpy

Nicholas Brooks signs autographs for Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School third-graders Brandy White, left, Gabrielle Jethro and Ja’Mya Handy. PROVIDED PHOTO/BND

published in the Belleville News Democrat by Teri Maddox, September 22, 2013

Sammy Davis Jr. is ancient history for students at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis.

But they whooped and hollered when impersonator Nicholas Brooks sang Sammy’s 1972 hit “The Candy Man.”

“That was one of my favorite assemblies ever,” said Christina Burrell, 13, of Fairview Heights. “I want to be in showbiz, and he gave me pointers on how to be myself and stick with it.”

Nicholas, 33, of Las Vegas, returned to his old neighborhood to encourage children to follow their dreams.

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TROPHIES LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOME!

1983 to Present:

  1. Blessed Sacrament 8th grade boys basketball tournament 2nd place 2002
  2. St. James Tournament 25th Anniversary 5th place 1995
  3. St. James 6th grade tournament consolation 1995/1997/1998
  4. St. James 6th grade tournament 2nd place 1993/1996
  5. Sis. Thea Bowman school 1994-95
  6. Althoff grade school tourney 3rd place 1987/ 2nd place 1988
  7. Metro CYO parochial 2nd place 1984
  8. Metro CYO midgets 1st place 1984
  9. St. Marys 7th grade tournament 1st place 1996
  10. Reaching out youth publication board superstar contest winner 1992
  11. Althoff grade school tourney 3rd 1985
  12. Althoff catholic high school boys feeder basketball tournament consolation champs 2002
  13. Althoff grade school tournament consolation 1989
  14. 5th place Althoff grade school tourney 1984
  15. St. Mary Spartans 7th grade boys basketball tournament 2nd place 2002
  16. 2nd place cathedral holiday tournament 5th place
  17. 5th annual SS. Peter and Paul 7th grade boys basketball tournament consolation (donated by SS. Peter and Paul booster club)
  18. Althoff feeder tournament 3rd place 1991
  19. Metro CYO div. 4 parochial 1984
  20. 2nd place holiday tournament
  21. Belleville diocesan 3rd place 1987
  22. Reaching out superstar contest winner
  23. 3rd annual SS. Peter and Paul 7th grade boys basketball tournament 2nd place (donated by SS. Peter and Paul booster club)
  24. Althoff catholic high school grade school feeder tournament 1st place 2000
  25. Althoff catholic high school – grade school feeder tournament 4th place 1999
  26. St. James tournament 4th place 1998
  27. St. James tournament 5th place 1997
  28. St. James tournament 2nd place 1995
  29. 2nd annual St. Stephen JP. Boys invitational tournament
  30. St. James tournament 5th place 1990
  31. St. Marys 7th grade tournament 2nd place 1998
  32. Metro CYO division II volleyball 1998-1999 2nd place Midget
  33. Metro CYO central division 1995-1996 2nd place midget
  34. Cathedral holiday tournament consolation 1983
  35. Metro CYO central division 1993-1994 1st place parochial
  36. Metro CYO central division 1991-1992 2nd place midget
  37. Queen of Peace 5th grade basketball tournament 2001 consolation
  38. Queen of Peace 6th grade basketball tournament 5th place 1992
  39. Queen of Peace 6th grade basketball tournament 3rd place 1998
  40. Queen of Peace 8th grade volleyball tournament consolation 1990
  41. 85 metro CYO 86 south div. parochial “A” list
  42. Queen of Peace 6th grade basketball tournament 2nd place 1996
  43. Queen of Peace 6th grade basketball tournament 4th place 1997
  44. Queen of Peace 5th grade basketball tournament 5th place 1998
  45. Queen of Peace 5th grade basketball tournament 3rd place 1997
  46. 1997 3rd annual St. John Neuman 6th grade girls volleyball tournament consolation champs
  47. St. Mary 7th grade boys basketball tournament 2001 3rd place
  48. Metro CYO central division 1990-91 1st place parochial
  49. Metro CYO central division 1991 1st place parochial
  50. 1994 Belleville diocesan finalist large school boys basketball parochial division
  51. Metro CYO central division 1995-1996 1st place parochial
  52. 1995- 1st annual St. John Neuman 6th grade girls volleyball tournament consolation champions
  53. Blessed sacrament 8th grade basketball tournament 2nd place 1996
  54. Metro CYO central division 1996 2nd place midgets
  55. Boys diocesan basketball tournament parochial A division 1st place 2005
  56. 2003 Belleville diocesan first place class “AA” school track and field team award
  57. Blessed sacrament 8th grade tournament 2nd place 1994
  58. 1996 Belleville diocesan runner up large school boy basketball parochial division
  59. Blessed sacrament 8th grade basketball tournament 2nd place 1997
  60. Diocesan track meet midget girls division class “AA” school first place 2003
  61. Metro CYO division II 1998-99 2nd place parochial
  62. Girl diocesan volleyball tournament midget A division 2nd place 2004
  63. St. Marys 7th grade girls basketball tournament 5th place 1996
  64. Blessed sacrament 8th grade basketball tournament 3rd place 1998
  65. Diocesan track meet midget boys class “AA” champions 2002
  66. 2002 Belleville diocesan 3rd place class “AA” school track and field team award
  67. Girls diocesan volleyball tournament class “AA” – midget 4th place 2002
  68. St. Marys 7th grade girls basketball tournament 3rd place 2000
  69. St. Clare 6th grade girls basketball tournament 2000 2nd place
  70. Althoff grade school tourney 1st 1986
  71. Blessed sacrament 8th grade basketball tournament 1st place 1997