I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I would have to say “shake it off”. My essay that I have used in several of my scholarships as it means so much to me is about shaking it off, becoming a better person. I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. I gladly accepted. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. We have been able to pilot a program in which a statement is read before every game of what is expected and tolerated. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. I would love to help other minority students feel welcomed and not afraid to play a sport. I have recently been accepted to Castleton University which will soon become Vermont State University. It is a small college not far from home. The degree that I have chosen to pursue is Sports Management. I would love to continue my passion in higher education within a field I have been able to use in many ways and outlets. My ultimate goal for my higher education would be continue helping others in my society young or old enjoy sports, utilize the benefits that sports provide such as a safe outlet, team work, goals and collaboration in all aspects that are needed to live a happy healthy life. If I could help one person find that passion that I did to help me get where I am today through sports I would. Please consider helping me continue my dream, the first step is done. I was accepted, now the second part is the financing to be able to get to achieve the ultimate goal of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Taysean Metz

I never wanted to be a stereotype, yet here I am. I was raised three quarters of my life by a strong white single mother, a black father who deserted me, going about his life as if I didn't exist. I am an example of that unwanted statistic. I am praying to be the black father someday my father never was to me. The fatherless life I’ve had has given me the strength, the desire, the power, and the motivation to be the black man that will be a fantastic father and individual. Even through these trials and tribulations of being raised by a single mother tirelessly working just to put food on the table, being raised within a white family within a prominently white society. I have been given the strength and determination to succeed in attaining a higher education. Going to College and playing college football would allow me to pursue my dreams. Football has given me a positive outlet. I have always been involved in sports one way or another. I have a passion to help others use sports as a positive outlet as well. As an African American student-athlete in Vermont, I have come across many challenges and with every challenge comes an opportunity. My athletic advisor, Mike Jabour, reached out to me about joining the VPA DEI committee which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion in activities committee. In this committee, we have every athletic director around the state including a couple of student athletes. We meet monthly to bring awareness of issues around the state, officiating problems along with problems with the crowd saying derogatory terms to players. This committee has helped me be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be involved in sports on a positive level. Vermont is predominantly white, racial injustice exists. I have also spent the last two years volunteering in the Unified Sports Club at our school. This includes basketball and bowling. I would go and help others who have barriers enjoy sports in the way I do. To see others smile with happiness is a ultimate goal. I am hoping to pursue a degree in Sports Management to continue my passion with sports and every element that it is part of. Not only seeing others succeed but giving others an outlet that is safe and positive. Please consider my essay as my testament of how important this is to me.