We all face different obstacles and challenges in life. Sometimes when we look back we see that point where everything changed and from that moment on life is just not the same. We always want to try to see the positive in life and realize these instances build character and make us who we are but, in the moment the damage is done and it is hard to recover gracefully at those moments. I was in 6th grade and had just moved schools to a new middle school not aligned with where I went to elementary. I was going to have a fresh start after being bullied in elementary I wanted to have a different experience. I went with my mom to the doctor and when I returned I handed my attendance lady my doctor's note. My name is Dante and the doctor's note clearly said Dante but, this lady wrote my name as DARK. At the time in hindsight, I should have looked at the note before I walked all the way to class and gave my teacher the note but, I was preoccupied and didn't even look. I handed the note to my teacher who took the note looked at it and busted out laughing and read it aloud Dark McRae. My heart sank and my face filled up with anger. Why would an educator choose this moment to read aloud the mistake of another and want to humiliate me? The class roared with laughter. I was speechless for words and tried to laugh it off too. I went home that day so bothered and upset. There I was teased again for something I didn't have any control over. It took me a few days to tell my mom what happened. She was livid. That day I saw how much my mom loved and supported me. She went to email the teacher, the administration and everyone who was involved. The principal kept dodging her emails and calls so my mom being a mom went to the school to speak to someone in person. Knowing the lady who took my note was known to look down on children my mom had more of a want to justify the situation. The assistant principal who did speak to my mom told her it was an accident and that the lady was not racist and swept it under the rug. My mom went straight to the school board and contacted the NAACP for advice. This one instance of discrimination was a fire for my mom as I was always taught to treat others with respect. She was respectfully going to get this lady fired. I spent the next few months and years trying to live it down. Dark, not dark enough, not black enough just trying to find who I was. In those days I found who I was and knew my mom would always have my back. I learned to be respectful and that I could make changes and ripples in the world if I presented my case, choose respect, and just was my true authentic self. From that day I knew so many would judge me by my appearance but, I continue to volunteer, participate, and be a light in the world. I want to make the change I want to see I will grow and succeed despite the discrimination and make a positive inpact where ever I can.

A career is a lot to process for a high school senior. Currently, I have very few classmates who know their path. At the age of 18, it can be very overwhelming to know what we want to do. Since the time my mom can remember have been watching the military history channel since I was 2. My love for history and the military are evident and I plan to put one of these plans into action. Learning about history has always been my passion from the stories, folk tales, and just the wackiness of how history has played out. I want to inspire others and make an impact when sometimes there seems not to be one. To instill change where others do not see the importance of lessons learned or things unlearned by not informing ourselves on how history has affected us all. Therefore, I want to Major in history it’s not only my passion but, a driving force of who I am. My other passion is the Military. My great-grandfather joined when he was 18 and although he passed before I could have the honor of meeting him my great-grandma always took great pride in his military service. For as long as I can remember she has taken us to the cemetery to visit his grave. Once I got into high school I began volunteering for Flags in and Wreaths across America to help honor those who have fought for our country. I have had the pleasure of helping my community whenever I am able. I strive to go beyond the average person for my future and giving back is a way I feel benefits myself and others. I have done community service for my neighborhood events; setting up tents and equipment. I have donated my time at my local YMCA doing the teen program obtaining volunteer and work experience. I have gone to Goodwill to help sort and pack boxes with my JROTC program at school. I have attended events at our local food bank helping distribute food and items with football and JROTC. I have volunteered to assist the Special Olympics for our local school district. I have also laid wreaths and flags for our fallen heroes at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In all these events I always feel honored to be able to help others and make a small difference for someone. In choosing a career I hope to make a difference in the life of others. I have had some amazing groups of mentors and teachers who have made an important impact on my life and I believe I would want to continue the legacy of amazing mentors and teachers possibly for other students. This is where I am torn in choosing my career but, I know that no matter what I choose I will want to be a light for others who may have been in the dark and need a reminder of who they can shine to be. My life has given me may opportunities and I hope to continue to pursue my dreams and find my path.

My name is Dante McRae. I am a very personable and driven individual with a great determination to better myself. I plan to become a history major and minor in Education while obtaining my teaching certificate. I will tell you a bit about myself and why I want to major in history. I have had the pleasure of helping my community whenever I am able. I strive to go beyond the average person for my future and giving back is a way I feel benefits myself and others. I have done community service for my neighborhood events; setting up tents and equipment. I have donated my time at my local YMCA doing the teen program obtaining volunteer and work experience. I have gone to Goodwill to help sort and pack boxes with my JROTC program at school. I have attended events at our local food bank helping distribute food and items with football and JROTC. I have volunteered to assist the Special Olympics for our local school district. I have also laid wreaths and flags for our fallen heroes at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In all these events I always feel honored to be able to help others and make a small difference for someone. I also work as a party character performing at children’s parties. It gives me internal joy to see the smiles on the kid’s faces. I also would like to share a story of a little boy who touched my heart whom I met working as Donald Duck. Mateo was a young kid age 6 who was diagnosed with Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) at the time I had no idea what this was. Our boss came to let us know it wasn’t a party but, a personal show/performance for him and his family and he was ill. My coworkers and I decided to perform for free so we could allow his family the money to enjoy whatever activities they could before his time would come. I will never forget this sweet boy who looked at Donald like he was his hero. We could see through the costumes he was very swollen and had lost his hair. Then when the performance was over, we all wished him well and asked him to stay strong and keep fighting. He was a courageous young boy and so was his family. Little did I know that Mateo would pass only 9 hours after our performance, and it was one of the last things that made him smile on this earth as he went in his sleep. I will always remember him and know that we all can make a difference in others’ lives even when we ourselves are having a hard time. A little more about me. I have always been drawn to history even as a small child. Fun fact my mom would tease me because at the age of 3, I was watching the history channel and military history channel all the time. Learning about history has always been my passion from the stories, folk tales, and just the wackiness of how history has played out. I want to inspire others and make an impact when sometimes there seems not to be one. To instill change where others do not see the importance of lessons learned or things unlearned by not informing ourselves on how history has affected us all. Therefore, I want to Major in history it’s not only my passion but, a driving force of who I am.

My life hasn't always been easy and recently It has been a bit harder. My great grandmother who was the sole provider for my mom and who also helped my mom raise me passed away. She was our rock and very similar to Mama Coco in the Disney movie. She taught me so much about culture, life lessons, and she tried to teach me Spanish. She was the most caring individual in my life she called me her Corazon. When she got sick it was hard for me to know that she was aging and her time was coming. I promised her I would make her proud and show her that I wouldn't give up on my hopes and dreams. When I ask myself what motivates me to be successful I believe that it is her! She married and came from Mexico. She made so many things happen for herself and her family. She didn't have toys but, made sure I had plenty of them. She didn't know very much but, she bought her own home after her husband passed. She suffered so much in life but, and has always remained resilient and with a smile. She has helped me to dig deeper and make anything possible in the past. I would love to continue to make my family proud and show them that I am destined for success and greatness. I want to make a difference in life. I have chosen to pursue a degree in History and will teach History to others and hopefully foster a love for culture, history, and lessons for future generations. My great-grandmother would give anyone her last dollar or the shirt off her back. She was always teaching us to be kind and caring. Those are the qualities that I have also wanted to acquire to help and lend a hand when possible. For me, that is a great example of a caring individual and an even better educator. Someone who will care for their students well being and foster passions. I want to be a teacher that inspires others to think outside the box and contribute to society. I want to tell others how all their influences come from those who came before us and the lasting impact they will always have in our lives. I believe that we are put on this earth to make a difference, help one another, and just make it a better place. I have to say that I believe that is why pursuing education and possibly coaching will help me to attain all of these. I would love to be a positive role model as a Male educator. I want to incorporate how the world is a unique place and how all of us make part of it special. I want to show others and future generations that no matter where you come from you can make a difference. We can all honor those who came before us to strive to be the best version of ourselves. My great-grandmother is now my guardian angel and I know she will help me get to my dream just as she achieved hers and is now resting in paradise. Thank you, Dante McRae

I am passionate about inspiring others. I am passionate about making a difference in people's lives. I am passionate about wanting to teach others history. If you add those together, you get me a future educator. Someone who provides instruction or education is how an educator is defined however to myself and others, it is much more. I am a huge history advocate. History called to me at a young age and I wish to help others by fostering a spark in the subject and continuing to pass on my passion to others and the need to attain more knowledge. My educators have taught me that teaching is a work of the heart and it is so much more than reading textbooks or reciting lesson plans. There are so many times that I have realized that all educators have taught me a lesson. Whether someone who is invested in us the students or someone who wasn't a match with my teaching/ learning style there are many lessons and beliefs I have acquired from them. I have recently been asked by one of my favorite teachers, "Have you ever sat in class and thought about how you would change how something is taught so more people would interact and understand?" I stopped in my tracks and answered, "Yes!!! many times!" She proceeded to tell me that's how she knew she wanted to be an educator as well. When I was 7 I lost my uncle suddenly he had been my male role model in life. I had just relocated to a new school due to a bullying issue after just moving from El Paso, Texas to San Antonio. In less than 1 month I had been in 3 schools it was an intense hard change for me. I was struggling and not sure where I belonged or how I would enjoy school. Then one day I walked into Mr. Clark's class and the rest was history. He was a funny, goofy, over-the-top man who made me laugh and reminded me that I did like school. This man would push me and get me out of my comfort zone. He even got me to run for the class historian and won! He inspired me so much in such a dark time in my life. The best part you may ask? He is still in my life to this day. He has come to one of my football games EVERY Season, year, every team, and has shown up for me. Being one of my biggest male role models and motivators. My big difference maker he is someone who never gave up on me. When I think of the word educator I think of more than someone with a degree in the front of a class. I think of an individual who wants to inspire and change the world with one word of kindness, a gesture of support, or a joke to someone who is down. That is who I aspire to be. I have been a leader from within the pack and want to continue to do so. I want my students to feel confident, inspired, motivated, and just have respect for me as a good person not only their teacher. Sometimes we get so caught up in life we forget the little things, but, in my experience, it's been all the little things that have made the biggest impact on me in the classroom and I can't wait to do the same!

My name is Dante McRae and I am a Maverick. I have been someone who follows my own path and has stayed on a positive track. I didn't always have an easy life it started a bit rough in El Paso, Texas. I was raised by a single mother. My father was incarcerated while I was a baby, young child. My uncle aka male role model passed away when I was 7. My mom relocated us to San Antonio, Texas with 2 trash bags, one with my toys and one with clothes. We started from scratch for a new beginning so my mom could give me a different future than that of my father and uncle. I have always been sure that I would not want to make the same mistakes as my family. I wanted more for myself in terms of not running to drugs or trouble. I started playing football when I was bullied as a young child not always or ever the big kid. I made a mark for myself as a defensive lineman at 5'5 I kept my position and regardless of my doubters and have stayed as starting until my last varsity year. My coaches describe me as David versus Goliath. Due to my size, I have gone against others who out weight me by double my body weight and tower over me yet, I have never backed down on the field or in life. I believe that my passion for History and want to be a teacher are also something that is also not common. I hope to inspire others and make a difference in life. I currently work as a party character and dress up at parties to make kids and others laugh and encourage a good time. My life changed one day when we met a young 6-year-old child Mateo who was given a grave diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. His family wanted to give him a Disney experience as he could no longer travel. Upon learning of his diagnosis, condition, and illness, my team and I decided to return their money and do the performance for free. We enjoyed those 2 hours and made him laugh. I was Donald his favorite character we made a special bond that day. I felt I did my best performance not only as a character but as a symbol of hope for him. He unexpectedly passed that same night and his story has stayed with me forever. How short and unfair life can be to some. How blessed I have been. That day my life changed and from then, I knew I wanted to hope and inspire others. To be a light in the world when people can be in darkness. Teaching history to kids I believe is my calling possibly coaching and making difference for future generations. I had an amazing mentor in my life who was a previous teacher and I would love to be that for others. Thank you, Dante McRae

It takes great sacrifice to secure the brightest future. Looking at history this is a major lesson taught to many. When looking at wars and the past we see the great sacrifice and where it has led us to beautiful futures. In my life, I have witnessed and learned so much from history, and I have applied this in my life. My name is Dante McRae and I have always had a passion for history. I will tell you a bit about myself and what I plan to do with my degree in history and minor in education and how important it would be for me to teach history to others. At the young age of 3, my mom would tease me because I would choose to watch the military history channel and history channel for fun. I have always been drawn to history even as a young child. I have been fascinated by many wars, rulers, and past events that have led us to our current situation in the world. This has always intrigued me to want to learn more details and reasons behind the decisions that have lead to such situations. Learning about history has always been my passion from the stories, folk tales, and just the wackiness of how history has played out. It has spoken volumes to me and has been monumental in my upbringing, always learning and being fascinated by events, people, and places. From the smallest details left by our ancestors to those who had to walk so we can run! I would love to show our younger generations and fellow peers that history is not just a boring class you are stuck in. I want to inspire others and make an impact when sometimes there seems not to be one. To instill change where others do not see the importance of lessons learned or things unlearned by not informing ourselves on how history has affected us all. Many of my peers do not share the love of history. I believe some of the reasoning behind us is the way some teach these events. Many times we are just told to read, read, and teach ourselves. However, my favorite thing about learning history is engaging in conversations on topics, lessons, and feedback on why it happened. I would love to show the next generation how important many of these things are and make history fun and interactive. I want to light a spark and let that flourish. I enjoy talking about history when we go to flags in on memorial day to place flags at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. I love to see others light up when I talk about what wars or battles these soldiers who gave their lives for us. I also volunteer at wreaths across America and am so grateful to have the honor to place these wreaths for the great souls who choose to defend America. Volunteering at the YMCA I enjoy speaking to veterans and learning from all of them. My love for history is never-ending. I aspire to teach my love for history to others. I want to teach lessons from the past to help us avoid mistakes in the future. I want to make a difference for kids in the next generation. I would love to make my mark and change the way they see history. I would love the opportunity to be blessed with a scholarship to make my journey a bit easier so I make put my mark in the world. Thank you for your time, Dante McRae

My life has always been a balance of struggle and success. My father was incarcerated when I was born and that is when I believe my life struggles started. My mother raised me as a single mom and my uncle lived with us for some time. My uncle was also incarcerated and my mom decided to uproot us and move us from my home of El Paso, Texas to San Antonio, Texas so she could finish her degree faster. She also said we needed to move so I wouldn't end up in the same cycle as my father and uncle. We moved to San Antonio with nothing but two trash bags; one with my toys and one with clothes. It was a tough time. Only 6 months after moving here my uncle was involved in a car accident and died on the scene. I remember my mom pulling me out of school only 3 weeks after school started my 2nd-grade year. Life was very difficult for me after that. I was not only bullied but, also lost as a kid who had never suffered grief before. It took some time before I was able to cope with the grief. I use to play baseball and after my uncle passed I just didn't want to play anymore. I was going to the children's bereavement center and also met an amazing teacher/mentor who helped me find my way. I credit him for being my first inspiration to wanting to be a teacher. This man was a major influence in helping me believe in myself and find confidence again. I was able to overcome the bullying and started playing football. I found out although I couldn't fight I could tackle someone if they wanted to mess with me. I was pretty good at football but, at only 5'5 it was a struggle for me to keep my position as a defensive tackle. I kept my spot and knew my uncle was proud of me for starting varsity for 2 years. Fast forward to my Junior year in high school, my great-grandma passed away. Now, this is the person who raised my mom and helped raise me while my mom worked 2 jobs and went to school. We were extremely close and it broke my heart. She was very sick at the end of my sophomore year and of course she didn't want to go during my season she held on and stuck out suffering until April when spring ball was on pause. She was my biggest supporter as I was the first great-grandchild. I want to make her proud and show her that I can make it. I also want to show my mom that I will be ok. She worries about me and my grief because as a male I feel like my world shattered but, it's not as acceptable to show my grief as when I was a kid. Grief is a funny thing it can be so hard to tolerate sometimes and then other times things are ok. It can come in waves but, at the end of the day, I carry the love of my uncle and my great-grandma in my heart and know they are still with me. I want to fight and show the world that I matter and that the people who loved me and took care of me were amazing. They did all they could to support me while they were here and pray that I make them proud. Grief put life in perspective very quickly, it helps you realize that life is short and we all need to live life as the best version of ourselves possible. Life is short for some my uncle was 21 when he passed away and others live beautiful lives my great-grandma was 80. My mom says that we got lucky she loved us so much while she was here. My mom has had her heart broken now that she is gone but, I pray that if I fight enough my mom will not have to worry about getting me through college and know that I am ok. I will never stop fighting for my dreams and I pray that I am able to achieve them all. Thank you

My name is Dante McRae. I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and moved to San Antonio when I was 8 years old after my uncle passed away. He was a huge influence in my life, and I have used his mistakes as lessons not to follow and try to change my life. Unfortunately, his life was a short one he passed at 21. I will be turning 18 shortly and have been blessed to have a completely different upbringing and have had many more opportunities. She was a single mom for most of my life and a big influence on who I have become as a man. I strive to go beyond the average person for my future and giving back is a way I feel benefits myself and others. I have donated my time at my local YMCA doing the teen program obtaining volunteer and work experience. I have gone to the Goodwill to help sort and pack boxes with my JROTC program at school. I have attended events at our local food bank helping distribute food and items with football and JROTC. I have volunteered assisting the Special Olympics for our local school district. I have also laid wreaths and flags for our fallen heroes at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In all these events I always feel honored to be able to help others and make a small difference for someone. I also work as a party character performing at children’s parties. It gives me an internal joy to see the smiles on the kid’s faces. I also would like to share a story of a little boy who touched my heart that I met working as Donald Duck. Mateo was a young kid age 6 who was diagnosed with Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) at the time I had no idea what this was. Our boss came to let us know it wasn’t a party but, a personal show/performance for him and his family and he was ill. My coworkers and I decided to do the performance for free so we could allow his family the money to enjoy whatever activities they could before his time would come. I will never forget this sweet boy who looked at Donald like he was his hero. We could see through the costumes he was very swollen and had lost his hair. Then when the performance was over, we all wished him well and asked him to stay strong and keep fighting. He was a courageous young boy and so was his family. Little did I know that Mateo would pass only 9 hours after our performance, and it was one of the last things that made him smile on this earth as he went in his sleep. I will always remember him and know that we all can make a difference in others’ lives even when we ourselves our having a hard time. A little more about me. I have always been drawn to history even as a small child. Fun fact my mom would tease me because at the age of 3 I was watching the history channel and military history channel all the time. Basically, learning about history has always been my passion from the stories, folk tales, and just the wackiness of how history has played out. I want to inspire others and make an impact when sometimes there seems not to be one. To instill change where other’s do not see the importance of lessons learned or things unlearned by not informing ourselves on how history has affected us all.