From $25 to Dr. Kelley: The Power of Belief, Mentorship, and Filling The Lane
- Vincent Miller
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Sometimes inspiration finds us when we least expect it.
When I came back to the United States from Africa after my father’s passing, I was carrying both grief and questions about what my next chapter would look like. I didn’t know it at the time, but one of the first students I met at Denison Middle School, a young man named Kelley Curtis Dekle, would become part of my answer.
Kelley was one of the inaugural members of Filling The Lane (FTL), a program born out of a desire to give young people opportunities, guidance, and hope through sports and mentorship. The program would not have existed without the vision and encouragement of Derrick Doles, who reminded me how powerful sports could be in shaping character and community. But while PAL (Police Athletic League) was only able to support students through sixth grade, I felt a calling to keep walking alongside them beyond that.
That’s where my journey with Kelley truly began. I remember clearly the day I helped open his very first bank account. I began depositing $25 a month—not much by the world’s standards, but to me, it was an intentional seed. My hope was that one day, when he graduated, it would serve as a small reminder that someone had believed in him consistently, month after month, year after year.
Fast forward to today, and that young man just walked across a stage as Dr. Kelley Curtis Dekle.
The same student who once sat in middle school classrooms dreaming of possibilities has now become a doctor, and he took a moment to say:
“You were the inspiration, Dr. Miller. Love you always.”
Those words brought me to tears, because they reflect the very heart of why Filling The Lane was created. This program has never been just about sports. It has always been about equipping young men and women to dream bigger, to see beyond their circumstances, and to know that they have value, purpose, and people cheering them on.
Watching Kelley walk across that stage, degree in hand, I couldn’t help but think back to that small $25 deposit each month. What started as a simple act of consistency has blossomed into a testimony of perseverance, faith, and transformation.
And here’s the truth: you never know how far your investment in someone else’s life will reach.
For me, Kelley was not just a student in a program—he became part of the reason I continued building FTL. He showed me that when we give our time, our resources, and our belief to the next generation, extraordinary things can happen.
Today, as I celebrate his success, I am reminded that the seeds we plant in faith can grow into legacies beyond what we could ever imagine.
So, to Dr. Kelley Curtis Dekle—congratulations. Your accomplishments inspire me, and they remind all of us why mentorship matters. You are living proof that when someone invests in your future, when someone believes in you, the possibilities are endless.
And to every young person out there: never underestimate the impact of the people cheering you on. Sometimes they’re not just mentors—they’re inspirations walking right alongside you, helping you become everything you were meant to be.
Kelley, I am so proud of you. We are so proud of you.
The Future of Filling The Lane
Moments like this remind me why Filling The Lane cannot stop here. The vision has always been about more than one generation—it’s about creating a pipeline of opportunity, mentorship, and encouragement that continues to grow.
Filling The Lane is about:
Giving students a place to belong and grow.
Teaching discipline, teamwork, and character through sports and beyond.
Providing mentorship that lasts, even when the world says “you’re too old” or “the program ends here.”
Investing in seeds of potential, knowing they can grow into legacies that impact families, communities, and even the world.
Kelley’s story is proof of what can happen when one student is believed in, encouraged, and supported consistently. Imagine what can happen when we multiply that story by dozens, then hundreds, then thousands.
That’s the future I see for Filling The Lane.
A Call to Action
If you’ve ever wondered whether your time, your resources, or your belief in a young person really makes a difference, let this story be your reminder: it does.
Filling The Lane is looking ahead to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and continue walking alongside young people who need someone in their corner.
You can be part of this story.
By mentoring.
By investing.
By simply showing up and reminding a young person that they matter.
Together, we can keep filling the lanes—not just on the basketball court, but in life.
Because one day, another young person will walk across a stage, degree in hand, and say: “You were the inspiration.”
And that will make it all worth it.
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