PHOTO BY KEVIN HOGENCAMP

Albany native Deion Branch returned home as he does each summer last week to motivate youth at Turner Elementary School (pictured), the YMCA, the National Youth Sports Program, and his Albany State University football camp. Accompanied by his mentor and former coach, current Westover High Principal William Chunn, the New England Patriots receiver and former Super Bowl most valuable player encouraged children attending summer school at Turner to “not just get by in school, but to do do the best you can, so you can be best prepared for everything you have to deal with later.”