As president of the Twin City Little League (Winston Salem NC) Vanessa Westbury leads an organization with over 5 decades of baseball tradition. It was founded back in 1961 by Mr. Peyton Hairston and a group of citizens from the East Winston Community. Their immediate goal was to develop a baseball program for underprivileged children. However with unwavering commitment and the help of volunteers that once included the legendary Clarence "Big House" Gaines, its more than accomplished the initial vision of its founders. Over decades, it has continued to evolve and shape lives for the better.
Today, "Mrs Westbury" carries on this legacy of leadership and service. In 4 years as president she's been recognized for bringing renewed energy to everyone and everything involved in making things work. She's not only building on a solid foundation, she has the Twin City Little league set on a positive course for the future .
She is striving for increased participation on all fronts. She explains “I hope to see more teams for the league. Getting more support and help from the community and the City. I hope to see good coaches come out and support and coach our kids. I hope to see more diversity within the league. I hope to see more parent participation and support for their children.”
Ms. Westbury credits her parents with being the most influential people in her life, instilling a work ethic, a passion for inspiring people and a love for sports. “ My mom and dad always taught me that you can be anything in life that you want to be as long as you work for it".
“My mother had nine kids and eight are living, four boys and four girls. We grew up playing sports in our family and my mom use to have kids over all the time".
It was only natural that when she started her family she would follow in moms footsteps. "I used to be the team mom and cheerleader coach for different organizations like Tiny Indians Football Organization and Twin City Little League Baseball".
Her role as team mom was only the beginning. She did so well, she was asked by parents, who had kids who participated in the Twin City Little league, to come help out over there. By that time, she already had a son who competed in the league years before and had another son and grandson who is currently playing. She made an instant impression and would eventually assume the title of president.
She says if she could tell every young person one thing to inspire them it would be “You can do or be anything in life that you want to be. You have to have confidence in yourself. Never put yourself down and always hold your head up. You earn what you want in life nothing is given. You will succeed.”
When times get tough, along with her parents there’s another special individual Mrs. Westbury often thinks of to draw strength from. Her late friend Vicky Williams.
“Coming up she was always there for me and she always encouraged me to do my best and when I was feeling down and I knew I could count on her to help pick me up. Sometimes in life ther're things you feel you can’t tell mom or dad, but you have this one special person you can really talk to. Vickie was that person in my life. She was a big sister that kept me in check whether right or wrong. I really do miss her till this day, but her memories will carry with me forever.”
Undoubtedly, there are current and future leaders in Winston Salem who feel the same way about Ms Westbury as she does about Vicky.
KPI is honored to solute Mrs Westbury and the work the Twin City Little League is doing to provide positive influence through the game of baseball.
You can learn more about the Twin City Little League and ways to show your support at www.twincitylittleleague.org.
Westbury Inspires Many While Leading The Historic Twin City Little League
“You can do or be anything in life that you want to be. You have to have confidence in yourself. Never put yourself down and always hold your head up. You earn what you want in life nothing is given. You will succeed.”
-Vanessa Westbury
