Jack Terry’s story is one of survival and perseverance. As a Holocaust survivor, he endured unimaginable hardships, losing his family and being forced to grow up in a world that seemed determined to erase him. Yet, instead of letting his suffering define him, he chose to use his experiences to educate and inspire others. His story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is strength in moving forward and using our pain to make a difference. I relate to Jack Terry’s story because I, too, have faced adversity that has tested my strength and forced me to grow beyond my years. In 2021, my older brother lost his life to gun violence at the age of 18. That moment changed my life forever. Losing him was not just losing a family member; it was losing a role model, a best friend, and someone I looked up to for guidance. His absence left a hole in my heart, but instead of letting grief consume me, I made a promise to myself—I would live for both of us. Every time I step onto the field, I do what he can no longer do, and I make the most of every opportunity because I know he would want me to succeed. Through this tragedy, I have learned the true meaning of perseverance and purpose. I have learned that life is fragile, and every moment counts. Instead of allowing anger or sadness to hold me back, I use my pain as motivation to push forward. I play every game, study every lesson, and chase every goal with the same intensity that my brother once had. His memory fuels me, reminding me that I am capable of overcoming anything that life throws my way. Just as Jack Terry used his story to educate and inspire, I want to use my experiences to give back to my community. I want to be a mentor to young people, especially those growing up in environments where violence and loss are all too common. Through my education, I plan to create opportunities for those who feel trapped by their circumstances. Whether it’s through sports, mentorship, or advocacy, I want to help others realize that their past does not define their future. Education is my path to change not just for myself, but for those around me. I plan to use my studies to build a better future, one where young Black men like me don’t have to live in fear of losing their loved ones to violence. Whether it’s by becoming a coach, a leader in my community, or a mentor for young athletes, I want to make an impact that lasts. Jack Terry’s story teaches us that no matter how painful our past may be, we have the power to shape our future. His resilience inspires me to keep pushing forward, to honor my brother’s memory, and to make sure that my life serves a greater purpose. No matter the obstacles, I will continue to rise, using my education, my talents, and my voice to uplift those around me.

Faith, Perseverance, and the Road to Glory For three years, I sat on the sidelines, watching, waiting, hoping. Coming into Trinity, I had dreams of being a key player on the football team, making big plays, and helping my team win championships. But reality hit hard. Freshman year, I barely saw the field. Sophomore year, I got nothing but empty promises and ended up playing JV. I worked hard, got better, but it still wasn’t enough. Junior year, I played a lot of JV again, got some varsity reps, but it wasn’t what I had dreamed of. When we won the state championship, I felt like my time had finally come. I thought I had earned my spot and would play my entire senior season. But the coaches had other plans. At that point, I felt like giving up. The weight of disappointment was crushing. I had put in years of work, spent hours in the weight room, studied film, and pushed myself to the limit. But it still wasn’t enough. I fell into depression, lost focus in school, and was ready to walk away from football completely. That’s when my parents stepped in. My dad told me to keep my head up and stay hungry. My mom told me to pray and trust God’s plan. At first, it felt impossible. How could I keep believing when everything was telling me I wasn’t good enough? But I listened. I prayed. I trained even harder. I stayed ready. Then, everything changed. Early in my senior season, I still wasn’t playing. The coaches had chosen someone else for my position, and I had to sit and watch again. But I didn’t quit. I kept working, kept trusting. Then, the player in front of me got hurt, and I finally got my shot. This was the moment I had been waiting for. I had spent years preparing for it, and now it was time to show what I could do. Through district play, I carried the team. I stepped up, became a leader, and proved I belonged. Even when the other player returned, I had done enough to keep my spot. We battled through the playoffs and made it all the way to the state championship. The same coaches who once doubted me now relied on me. The same teammates who had barely noticed me now looked to me for leadership. By the end of the season, I was a 2 time first-team all-district player. The success, the recognition, the journey. I feel like it all meant more because of the struggle I had endured to get there. Looking back, I see now that God was with me the whole way. Every setback, every moment of doubt, every prayer I whispered when I felt lost and it was all part of His plan. I learned that faith isn’t just about believing when things are easy. It’s about trusting when things feel not impossible. It’s about grinding when no one is watching, pushing forward when the world tells you to quit, and leaving it all in God’s hands when you feel like you have nothing left. Football taught me a lot, but faith taught me more. And because of that faith, I didn’t just win on the field,I won in life.I can now say i have the opportunity to play college football. Thank the Lord!

My big brother died to gun violence in 2021 at 18 years old and I just felt like people shouldn’t go through that. I know people in Louisville love basketball, so my parents made a program for youth and it’s Shoot Balls Not Guns. January 31st was our first basketball camp at a gym. I really didn’t realize how much I could contribute to the community. We got to the gym and got all set up to get the food there and ready. The first people to come were friends and family, then there were lots of kids and other parents. My father posted flyers all over the city, but I didn’t expect 50 people to be there on the first camp. I didn’t think just the flyer would touch this many people, but it did, and we had a packed gym. We started with the message and the point of this camp. You don’t have to be in gun violence and stay away from it especially at a young age. Focus on school and having a great future and we are here to help you. Me and my parents are lending out hands to the kids, people they can call when they think they can’t call anyone. When they feel alone or like they can’t continue, or they need help, we will be there. We did some basketball drills then played ball which was great. What we want these people to know is they can always go pick up a ball and go play basketball to get them out their head or from being down. Playing basketball is free of stress and worries and the ball will always bounce. Your school might let you down, your family might let you down, or you might even put yourself down, but the basketball will always be there and the amount of basketball courts around the city are abundant. You can always get away and play ball to keep yourself out of trouble or in places you don’t need to be. Playing basketball with them at that camp was the most fun I had playing basketball ever. Taking the message to heart and leaving all my worries behind bounds of the court really was great for me and everyone else. I didn’t even know them people, but we were having fun like we’ve known each other forever. It’s just so much a basketball can do to make your life better. We were running 5 on 5s and if you weren’t playing you were eating. I was sitting eating just thinking about how successful it was. We just touched the community, we just changed people’s lives today and helped. Some many people die a year, and it starts with the youth. It starts with were they grew up and who they grew up around and how that environment affected them. I want to give them a helping hand and let them know through their favorite sport, there is always something better to do then be in trouble or using guns. We went to all community centers in Louisville and kids who lived nearby were all in attendance. You could be here, right down your street playing the game you love in a gym without worry. You don’t have to live and die by a gun. I really didn’t realize how much I could contribute to the community until I tried to. I will continue to do this for as long as I can.

Football was the biggest test of my character of all time. Sometimes, it felt like I woke up just to get yelled at, but it always meant a lot to me. I love the sport more than anything and would do anything for it. The coaches were tough and never lenient. Grades were never allowed to drop too low, and even my body language spoke volumes about my commitment. Over the past four years, my character has been built in ways I never imagined. I had to experience wins, losses, and draws throughout high school, but I never let them consume me. I always found a way to push through, and it wasn’t because I was alone-it was through the help and strength of my peers. Football taught me discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. The long practices, the relentless drills, and the demanding expectations forced me to dig deep and find strength I didn’t know I had. Every sprint, every repetition in the weight room, and every film session made me not just a better athlete, but a better person. I learned the importance of preparation and hard work, knowing that nothing is given, and everything is earned. Our team won championships because of how much we grew together. We were always said to be the worst class to come through Trinity, yet we ended up with one of the greatest stories. We proved everyone wrong, including our own coaches, by becoming back-to-back champions. The adversity we faced only made us stronger, and it was our bond that carried us to success. One of the biggest lessons I learned through football was the power of selflessness. My first two years were more about me—how I could get better, how I could make plays, and how I could stand out. But something changed during my junior and senior years. The game was no longer just about me; it was about us. It became about my brothers on the field, about playing for the man next to me rather than for myself. When I started to embrace that mentality, everything changed. We weren’t just a team; we were a family. I knew that if I didn’t do my job, I wasn’t just letting myself down—I was letting down my teammates, my coaches, and everyone who believed in us. This shift in mindset has shaped me into the person I am today. Football taught me that success isn’t about personal glory—it’s about uplifting those around you. That lesson extends beyond the field and into life. I want to make an impact on others by encouraging them to be better, not just for themselves, but for the people around them. Whether in sports, school, or life, teamwork and accountability are essential. If I can inspire someone to push harder, to never give up, and to believe in their team, then I know I’ve made a difference. Football has shaped me, and now, I want to use everything I’ve learned to shape others in a positive way.