Everyone has been through some type of obstacle before, no matter how big or small. There were plenty of times when I faced challenges, setbacks, or failures, but those experiences strengthened me and made me who I am today. The two biggest challenges I have overcome are my football career and my near-death experience. First, I want to express my experience of my football career. I can say that it was pretty good and fun overall. I've experienced many ups and downs playing this sport, with my height being one of those downs. I was 5 foot 8 and weighed 210 pounds as a linebacker. The average linebacker is at least 6 foot 2 and weighs 220 pounds. I was pretty big for my height, so there were many times that I was told I shouldn't be playing it. However, I didn't let that stop me. Plenty of people were bigger, stronger, smaller, or faster than me and didn't beat me because I always outworked them or would be more determined than they were. Another challenge from football was my ability to stay true to it. I lost most of my career because my teammates not having a passion for it as I did. When you're only surrounded by uncaring people, it's hard to keep playing. Even so, I kept playing through it until a new coach came for us. He turned it around and gave our team a different perspective, making me overcome even more. I will never forget my last game when we lost to get into the playoffs, hurting me to the core that night. The following day, I drove and picked up my girlfriend to take her to my house. Right before the exit, a speeding car hit us and drove off. I thought I died, but thankfully we both made it out unscathed. Experiencing that hit-and-run didn't break me down, but actually increased my faith and character. It took me a while to shake my nerves and get used to driving again, but I eventually prevailed. To sum up, everything stated so far, my experiences alone are a testament that hardships can define a person's strength. Dealing with those obstacles wasn't easy, but it shaped me to be better than I was. I can honestly say that I would be weak without the challenges I faced. Being said, you can overcome anything thrown at you.

Everyone has been through some type of obstacle before, no matter how big or small. There were plenty of times when I faced challenges, setbacks, or failures, but those experiences strengthened me and made me who I am today. The two biggest challenges I have overcome are my football career and my near-death experience. First, I want to express my experience of my football career. I can say that it was pretty good and fun overall. I've experienced many ups and downs playing this sport, with my height being one of those downs. I was 5 foot 8 and weighed 210 pounds as a linebacker. The average linebacker is at least 6 foot 2 and weighs 220 pounds. I was pretty big for my height, so there were many times that I was told I shouldn't be playing it. However, I didn't let that stop me. Plenty of people were bigger, stronger, smaller, or faster than me and didn't beat me because I always outworked them or would be more determined than they were. Another challenge from football was my ability to stay true to it. I lost most of my career because my teammates not having a passion for it as I did. When you're only surrounded by uncaring people, it's hard to keep playing. Even so, I kept playing through it until a new coach came for us. He turned it around and gave our team a different perspective, making me overcome even more. I will never forget my last game when we lost to get into the playoffs, hurting me to the core that night. The following day, I drove and picked up my girlfriend to take her to my house. Right before the exit, a speeding car hit us and drove off. I thought I died, but thankfully we both made it out unscathed. Experiencing that hit-and-run didn't break me down, but actually increased my faith and character. It took me a while to shake my nerves and get used to driving again, but I eventually prevailed. To sum up, everything stated so far, my experiences alone are a testament that hardships can define a person's strength. Dealing with those obstacles wasn't easy, but it shaped me to be better than I was. I can honestly say that I would be weak without the challenges I faced. Being said, you can overcome anything thrown at you.

Everyone has been through some type of obstacle before, no matter how big or small. There were plenty of times when I faced challenges, setbacks, or failures, but those experiences strengthened me and made me who I am today. The two biggest challenges I have overcome are my football career and my near-death experience. First, I want to express my experience of my football career. I can say that it was pretty good and fun overall. I've experienced many ups and downs playing this sport, with my height being one of those downs. I was 5 foot 8 and weighed 210 pounds as a linebacker. The average linebacker is at least 6 foot 2 and weighs 220 pounds. I was pretty big for my height, so there were many times that I was told I shouldn't be playing it. However, I didn't let that stop me. Plenty of people were bigger, stronger, smaller, or faster than me and didn't beat me because I always outworked them or would be more determined than they were. Another challenge from football was my ability to stay true to it. I lost most of my career because my teammates not having a passion for it as I did. When you're only surrounded by uncaring people, it's hard to keep playing. Even so, I kept playing through it until a new coach came for us. He turned it around and gave our team a different perspective, making me overcome even more. I will never forget my last game when we lost to get into the playoffs, hurting me to the core that night. The following day, I drove and picked up my girlfriend to take her to my house. Right before the exit, a speeding car hit us and drove off. I thought I died, but thankfully we both made it out unscathed. Experiencing that hit-and-run didn't break me down, but actually increased my faith and character. It took me a while to shake my nerves and get used to driving again, but I eventually prevailed. To sum up, everything stated so far, my experiences alone are a testament that hardships can define a person's strength. Dealing with those obstacles wasn't easy, but it shaped me to be better than I was. I can honestly say that I would be weak without the challenges I faced. Being said, you can overcome anything thrown at you.

I wasn't sure if I should choose to attend an HBCU at first, but now I think I've decided. Attending an HBCU will be my next step after high school since my best opportunity is there. A couple of schools accepted me, but I don't have many options when it comes to scholarships. Only two schools offered me a partial scholarship which were Arkansas Tech and the University of Arkansas at Pine bluff. My preference in college is to pay as less as possible, which I owe to my parents. They've sacrificed so much for my brother and me. I want to make the best of my opportunity which is why I'm staying home at UAPB. I think staying at home will benefit me when it comes to being able to adjust my academic schedule and a part-time job, unlike going to Russellville. I don't think I can manage a part-time job in a college away from my hometown. I say this because if I go to a college away from home, I will play football and I can't play football for college and have a part-time job. All in all, going to an HBCU will be an amazing experience for me. I know I'll have a thrilling time while attending there and making money aside from it. Apart from enjoying myself in college, execution will be a factor. I have to achieve academic success while earning money. Staying home will help me fulfill my needs and pave the way for my future.

One personal growth of mine that I am truly proud of is learning how to be appreciative of my life. I am still growing to be even more grateful today. I have learned a lot of ways to be grateful for what I have. There's always a reason to be grateful or appreciative in life. The fact that I am living right now is enough to be grateful. I wanted to win a state championship in football for my Senior year this past season because I lost every season since I was in the seventh grade. I felt like I was one of the only ones who cared about winning as a team because almost all my teammates would manifest us losing or say they didn't care about us losing themselves. Me being on the team would discourage me and make me unappreciative because my passion for football was being ruined. Though it seemed like it was no hope for the team, a new coach came in and turned it around. Not only did he make us a great football team, but he taught us lessons that I am grateful for today. Even though we became a great team, we didn't win the state championship this year, which ripped my heart to pieces. Those experiences taught me to be grateful for not only football. The day after I played my last football game, I almost lost my life. I was driving home after picking up my girlfriend from her house. I was happy to see her, but I was still heartbroken from my last game. Right before the exit to my house, some car hit us off the road and sped off. While we were swerving, I tried to coast along and get back on the road, but my wheel locked up on me then we eventually crashed. I thought we died, but I opened my eyes, and we were ok and got out of the car unscathed. You would probably look at me crazy if you saw the car. My experiences opened my eyes and made me realize that I should be more grateful than what I show. My appreciation changed and developed me for the better. One thing that remained the same about me and something I hope to fix is looking at and understanding the other person's point of view. "You have to realize everyone doesn't feel the same way as you," my mom said. So I am still going to work on my growth and underdevelopment on my journey.

I will never forget the day my favorite teacher died. I never really cared too much about my relationship with teachers. The only teacher that could genuinely make me happy each day was my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson. She was the nicest and most caring teacher I had. Not to mention she was my first ever true teacher. I will never forget the day she passed out candy canes to our class. I was so happy to get one, but later that day I found out I lost it. I was really sad, until my mom called and told her what happened. She was kind enough to show up to my house and give me two. I was so happy that I hugged her. It was 11 years later when I found out that she passed away. Me and my brother(who also had her as a teacher) cried hard. Later that day, I prayed and asked Mrs. Johnson to watch over me and my other classmates from above. I also promised her that I will do better in academics and also in life in general. Til this day, I try to keep up with my promise and aim higher than what I use to be. I still think about her from time to time and it upsets me too, but I remember what I promised her and move forward.