My personal progression: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” -Francis of Assisi “Your mom was electrocuted at work.” I was six years old when my mom went from an invincible SWAT officer to a human, changing my role from son to caretaker. This is not what defined me, or my childhood, it just became a new dimension to my life. As my mom re-learned how to talk, eat, and other tasks we take for granted, I learned how to help her. The injury required us to move from a Milwaukee suburb to rural Beaver Dam, WI to be near my grandparents. The downside of moving was transitioning to a poor, conservative, white community as a biracial (black and Puerto Rican) kid adopted by a single, gay, white mom. Decades earlier my mom was a hometown cop, so I became “the cop’s kid.” My classmates of color didn’t embrace me because they lived in Beaver Dam to be near their incarcerated parent at the local State Prison. The positive part of moving was the significant help my grandparents offered in all aspects of caring for my mom. This new “everybody knows everybody” environment had some small-town charm. My grandmother was well known locally as a 42 year veteran oncology nurse. Hospital workers were a tight knit group. Insurance coverage limited my mom's therapy sessions so her rehabilitation continued at a local gym in nightly kettlebell classes. I tagged along and played with kids of the other kettlebell moms. One friend, Taylor, had spina bifida. Taylor was allowed that one hour of class playtime without his back brace, so we went full tilt! Taylor introduced me to his Challenger League team and later became a peer volunteer. My first buddy was Allen, a total stud athlete born blind. From Allen I learned about the beeper baseballs blind players track by sound to hit the ball. Of course, the beeper ball was very expensive but I wanted Allen to have one for our games so I began a fundraiser. Our local sports teams required all players to fundraise each season for equipment. Every season I sold my weight in cookie dough for football. My Challenger buddy/teammate needed equipment too so naturally I went to the same people who donated for my sports. I visited the same business owners that always bought fundraising items. This time not one of them donated! The last business owner shocked me by saying, “They aren’t athletes so I’m not donating.” At the time I didn’t know what ableism was and it never dawned on me that societal worth diminished with a medical condition. The knockout punch instantaneously hit as I processed events that my mom and I might be treated as inferior to others after her electrocution. Being young and naive led me to that moment, but that innocence vanished after that experience. I decided to turn what could have been disappointment into action. Action became my healing tool. With the positive people and resources in my life, I set into motion a larger scale fundraising event for my Challenger League buddies. The plan was simple: invite my teammates, classmates, their families, plus the community to take part in a kickball tournament. The tournament gained momentum. We created an unrivaled community event, raising $5000 for the Challenger League and the beeper ball was our first purchase. This became my healing tool at nine years old. It was my moment of clarity, solidifying my perspective that life’s challenges ARE the reason to invite everyone.

Grandma: “Your mom was electrocuted at work.” Me: *numb* I was six when my mom went from invincible to human. My role changed from son to caretaker. This is not what defined me, or my childhood, it just became a new facet of life. The parameters outlined to understand being a human with a body. This new norm led to my involvement volunteering with the Challenger League at nine. Athletes with health conditions partner with non-disabled peer athletes to play baseball games. My first baseball buddy was Allen, a stellar athlete, born blind. Allen told me about a beeper baseball most blind athletes use to hit. The beeper ball was expensive. Confident in my ability to support Allen, assured in the kindness of my community, I created a donation form with the Challenger League 501(c)3 number and set out on foot to local businesses. My first stops were with business owners that all donated to my youth baseball, hockey and football teams. This day, not one of them donated. I was bemused by what was happening. The last business owner shocked me by saying, “They aren’t athletes so I’m not donating.” Ableism slapped me in the face and dazed my soul. The realization that a cultural positioning structure set athletic societal worth was appalling. The knockout punch instantaneously hit when I processed events where my mom and I were treated as inferior after her electrocution. Youthful naïveté previously managed my processing of life events. That innocence vanished. Luckily my mind defaulted to emotional surfing to navigate my visceral response. Maybe my life growing up in a poor, conservative community as a bi-racial kid, adopted by an openly gay, now disabled, single mom prepared me? Action became my healing tool. Utilizing the positive people and resources in my life, I set into motion a fundraising event for the Challenger League. The plan was simple: invite my teammates from all three sports; classmates; their families; the community to take part in a kickball tournament. The tournament gained momentum as I included more people to join my core event team. We created an unrivaled community event raising $5000 for the Challenger League. This was my healing tool at nine years old. At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing mouthguards required to play on our seventh-grade team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, re-triggered my inner tidal wave of emotion. This torrent of feelings created a different surf to ride. The kickball event taught me a need to incorporate nonidentical strategies to overcome obstacles. This time, my action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon formed. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. I cleaned the gear, organized and categorized items. Monthly times and dates to pick-up, drop-off, or exchange gear for free to any athlete flourished the program. My mind needed an outlet to process each obstacle. Entertainment to unwind when my mom was injured. At 6 years old my social network consisted of: Luigi, Mario and Sonic. I transitioned to brainstorming with Batman and Zelda for a few years. Now my IRL friends and I bond over Metroid. Nintendo games are my decompression time.

Grandma: “Your mom was electrocuted at work.” Me: *numb* I was six when my mom went from invincible to human. My role changed from son to caretaker. This is not what defined me, or my childhood, it just became a new facet of life. The parameters outlined to understand being a human with a body. This new norm led to my involvement volunteering with the Challenger League at nine. Athletes with health conditions partner with non-disabled peer athletes to play baseball games. My first baseball buddy was Allen, a stellar athlete, born blind. Allen told me about a beeper baseball most blind athletes use to hit. The beeper ball was expensive. Confident in my ability to support Allen, assured in the kindness of my community, I created a donation form with the Challenger League 501(c)3 number and set out on foot to local businesses. My first stops were with business owners that all donated to my youth baseball, hockey and football teams. This day, not one of them donated. I was bemused by what was happening. The last business owner shocked me by saying, “They aren’t athletes so I’m not donating.” Ableism slapped me in the face and dazed my soul. The realization that a cultural positioning structure set athletic societal worth was appalling. The knockout punch instantaneously hit when I processed events where my mom and I were treated as inferior after her electrocution. Youthful naïveté previously managed my processing of life events. That innocence vanished. Luckily my mind defaulted to emotional surfing to navigate my visceral response. Maybe my life growing up in a poor, conservative community as a bi-racial kid, adopted by an openly gay, now disabled, single mom prepared me? Action became my healing tool. Utilizing the positive people and resources in my life, I set into motion a fundraising event for the Challenger League. The plan was simple: invite my teammates from all three sports; classmates; their families; the community to take part in a kickball tournament. The tournament gained momentum as I included more people to join my core event team. We created an unrivaled community event raising $5000 for the Challenger League. This was my healing tool at nine years old. At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing mouthguards required to play on our seventh-grade team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, re-triggered my inner tidal wave of emotion. This torrent of feelings created a different surf to ride. The kickball event taught me a need to incorporate nonidentical strategies to overcome obstacles. This time, my action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon formed. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. I cleaned the gear, organized and categorized items. Monthly times and dates to pick-up, drop-off, or exchange gear for free to any athlete flourished the program. I was heartened to receive my first business donation. Our local ReStore manager handed me ten boxes. The equipoised donation held football mouthguards in each box. That donation sparked an inner brightness toward my purpose. My life summarized: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” -Francis of Assisi

Grandma: “Your mom was electrocuted at work.” Me: *numb* I was six when my mom went from invincible to human. My role changed from son to caretaker. This is not what defined me, or my childhood, it just became a new facet of life. The parameters outlined to understand being a human with a body. This new norm led to my involvement volunteering with the Challenger League at nine. Athletes with health conditions partner with non-disabled peer athletes to play baseball games. My first baseball buddy was Allen, a stellar athlete, born blind. Allen told me about a beeper baseball most blind athletes use to hit. The beeper ball was expensive. Confident in my ability to support Allen, assured in the kindness of my community, I created a donation form with the Challenger League 501(c)3 number and set out on foot to local businesses. My first stops were with business owners that all donated to my youth baseball, hockey and football teams. This day, not one of them donated. I was bemused by what was happening. The last business owner shocked me by saying, “They aren’t athletes so I’m not donating.” Ableism slapped me in the face and dazed my soul. The realization that a cultural positioning structure set athletic societal worth was appalling. The knockout punch instantaneously hit when I processed events where my mom and I were treated as inferior after her electrocution. Youthful naïveté previously managed my processing of life events. That innocence vanished. Luckily my mind defaulted to emotional surfing to navigate my visceral response. Maybe my life growing up in a poor, conservative community as a bi-racial kid, adopted by an openly gay, now disabled, single mom prepared me? Action became my healing tool. Utilizing the positive people and resources in my life, I set into motion a fundraising event for the Challenger League. The plan was simple: invite my teammates from all three sports; classmates; their families; the community to take part in a kickball tournament. The tournament gained momentum as I included more people to join my core event team. We created an unrivaled community event raising $5000 for the Challenger League. At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing mouthguards required to play on our seventh-grade team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, re-triggered my inner tidal wave of emotion. This torrent of feelings created a different surf to ride. The kickball event taught me a need to incorporate nonidentical strategies to overcome obstacles. This time, my action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon formed. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. I cleaned the gear, organized and categorized items. Monthly times and dates to pick-up, drop-off, or exchange gear for free to any athlete flourished the program. I was heartened to receive my first business donation. Our ReStore manager handed me ten boxes. The equipoised donation held football mouthguards in each box. That donation sparked an inner brightness toward my purpose. My life was impacted by my mother’s leadership, guiding me to help all youth be included, valued and afforded equal opportunity. The mind is powerful. Feed it with knowledge to empower all.

Grandma: “Your mom was electrocuted at work.” Me: *numb* I was six when my mom went from invincible to human. My role changed from son to caretaker. This is not what defined me, or my childhood, it just became a new facet of life. The parameters outlined to understand being a human with a body. This new norm led to my involvement volunteering with the Challenger League at nine. Athletes with health conditions partner with non-disabled peer athletes to play baseball games. My first baseball buddy was Allen, a stellar athlete, born blind. Allen told me about a beeper baseball most blind athletes use to hit. The beeper ball was expensive. Confident in my ability to support Allen, assured in the kindness of my community, I created a donation form with the Challenger League 501(c)3 number and set out on foot to local businesses. My first stops were with business owners that all donated to my youth baseball, hockey and football teams. This day, not one of them donated. I was bemused by what was happening. The last business owner shocked me by saying, “They aren’t athletes so I’m not donating.” Ableism slapped me in the face and dazed my soul. The realization that a cultural positioning structure set athletic societal worth was appalling. The knockout punch instantaneously hit when I processed events where my mom and I were treated as inferior after her electrocution. Youthful naïveté previously managed my processing of life events. That innocence vanished. Luckily my mind defaulted to emotional surfing to navigate my visceral response. Action became my healing tool. Utilizing the positive people and resources in my life, I set into motion a fundraising event for the Challenger League. The plan was simple: invite my teammates from all three sports; classmates; their families; the community to take part in a kickball tournament. The tournament gained momentum as I included more people to join my core event team. We created an unrivaled community event raising $5000 for the Challenger League. This was my healing tool at nine years old. At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing the mouthguards required to play on our seventh-grade team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, re-triggered my inner tidal wave of emotion.. The kickball event taught me a need to incorporate nonidentical strategies to overcome obstacles. This time, my action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon formed. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. My business will host athletic tournaments, use the events to collect gear for my nonprofit, fund future events with profits. The kickball tournament opened my eyes to the world of sporting event profitability. Hosting events draws revenue from entry fees but the majority of profit comes from concession sales. It is a market standard to price items in concessions at a 300% markup. Sporting events planned outside increase drink purchases, events planned at city own facilities has low rent cost, no age restriction to run. My business is a sporting event company. The first event will be a large scale pickleball tournament on the new 12 court, city owned, facility. Events to provide healthy activities locally.

Mom: “Junior was just found dead. He hung himself.” Me: *numb* At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing mouthguards. It’s a required item to play on our seventh-grade football team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, triggered my inner tidal wave of emotion. This torrent of feelings created a surf to ride. The five athletes were suspended from several games and I saw Junior become deflated by the news. Junior was our best athlete and one of the players arrested. We had been friends and teammates for years. My mom often gave Junior rides to/from practice, sent him with food and groceries weekly, plus washed his clothes and uniform at the end of the week. Shortly after Junior was born, his father was incarcerated for robbery, his mother dealt with addiction issues and was absent from his life, so Junior lived with foster parents. Ironically, Junior lived with the same foster parents that raised his mom, the same people his mom labeled as abusive during her childhood. Junior was well liked at school, had a bright future athletically, and used sports as his coping tool during tough times. Taking away football from Junior was devastating to his mental health. It was his outlet, his safe space, his support system to tolerate an abusive home life. That night Junior ended his life. Processing Junior’s death was difficult. It didn’t make sense to me. My mom was a detective and explained that Junior didn’t die by suicide because of the arrest. Junior experienced a lifetime of pain, neglect, abuse. His coping tool to battle the horrible home life was football. Without it, he could not cope. My soul was heavy knowing Junior felt like he had no community support. It motivated me to take action as my coping tool. There had to be a better way for athletes in my community to gain access for these required sports gear items. My action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon to create my vision. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. I cleaned the gear, organized and categorized items. Monthly times and dates to pick-up, drop-off, or exchange gear for free to any athlete flourished the program. I was heartened to receive my first business donation. Our local ReStore manager handed me ten boxes. The equipoised donation held football mouthguards in each box. That donation sparked an inner brightness toward my purpose. I knew Junior would be proud. My life moto: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” -Francis of Assisi

Grandma: “Your mom was arrested at work.” Me: *numb* I was six when my mom went from cop to inmate. My role changed from son to advocate. My mom worked for 20 years at a Milwaukee County police department. She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the department and her lieutenant. Another female officer was targeted by the same lieutenant. My mom was silent about the abuse for decades. The other female officer reported the abuse and was silenced by the department. On Christmas Eve 2012 the female officer was murdered on duty by her husband. His goal was to send a message. If the department deemed female officers as disposable, then he would show the world that they were disposable. My mom spoke up about the abuse. The police department pressured her to drop the lawsuit but she could not be silenced. Their final attempt to silence her was to use the law against her. Two years prior to the female officer’s murder, mom was sexually assaulted at work by her boss. She reported it to her Captain but her lieutenant was not arrested. Her lawsuit detailed the assault, her department used her statement to pressure her into two options: 1) drop the lawsuit and keep her job; 2) continue the lawsuit and be arrested for the felony offense of misconduct in public office. Essentially the violation was for failing to arrest her lieutenant at the time of the assault. Sexual assault in Wisconsin is a mandatory arrest violation. Failing to arrest a violator under this statute met the standard for misconduct in public office. She picked #2, took a plea deal for an 18 months sentence, won her lawsuit plus an additional false arrest lawsuit, was retired by her department with full pension. Her mission, moving forward, was to help people by volunteering full time. My mom will always be the first person to admit she made bad choices along the journey that led to her arrest. She willingly took a plea agreement, accepted her sentence, because she felt guilt for being silenced at the time of her assault. Her soul was heavy believing her silence allowed her female coworker/friend to fall victim to the same assault. Volunteering became her healing tool. At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing mouthguards. It’s a required safety item to play on our seventh-grade team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, triggered my own inner tidal wave of emotion. Maybe it was because all five athletes were black. I was the only other black athlete on the team and routinely followed by security in stores. I decided to use action as my processing tool. My action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon formed. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. I cleaned the gear, organized and categorized items. Monthly times and dates to pick-up, drop-off, or exchange gear for free to any athlete flourished the program. I was heartened to receive my first business donation. Our local ReStore manager handed me ten boxes. The equipoised donation held football mouthguards in each box. That donation sparked an inner brightness toward my purpose.

Grandma: “Your mom was electrocuted at work.” Me: *numb* I was six when my mom went from invincible to human. My role changed from son to caretaker. This is not what defined me, or my childhood, it just became a new facet of life. The parameters outlined to understand being a human with a body. This new norm led to my involvement volunteering with the Challenger League at nine. Athletes with health conditions partner with non-disabled peer athletes to play baseball games. My first baseball buddy was Allen, a stellar athlete, born blind. Allen told me about a beeper baseball most blind athletes use to hit. The beeper ball was expensive. Confident in my ability to support Allen, assured in the kindness of my community, I created a donation form with the Challenger League 501(c)3 number and set out on foot to local businesses. My first stops were with business owners that all donated to my youth baseball, hockey and football teams. This day, not one of them donated. I was bemused by what was happening. The last business owner shocked me by saying, “They aren’t athletes so I’m not donating.” Ableism slapped me in the face and dazed my soul. The realization that a cultural positioning structure set athletic societal worth was appalling. The knockout punch instantaneously hit when I processed events where my mom and I were treated as inferior after her electrocution. Youthful naïveté previously managed my processing of life events. That innocence vanished. Luckily my mind defaulted to emotional surfing to navigate my visceral response. Action became my healing tool. Utilizing the positive people and resources in my life, I set into motion a fundraising event for the Challenger League. The plan was simple: invite my teammates from all three sports; classmates; their families; the community to take part in a kickball tournament. The tournament gained momentum as I included more people to join my core event team. We created an unrivaled community event raising $5000 for the Challenger League. This was my healing tool at nine years old. At age twelve, five of my football teammates were arrested for stealing mouthguards required to play on our seventh-grade team. Listening to our coach’s viewpoint, punishment plan, all oozing with judgment of these five poorest athletes, re-triggered my inner tidal wave of emotion. This torrent of feelings created a different surf to ride because all five were African American and I was the only other black athlete on the team. This time, my action plan was to bridge the gap between athletes in need, with athletes that have extra gear. Utilizing my social network of teammates, our team organization members, then the organization’s sport gear supplier, a foundation to build upon formed. In 2019 I gained 501(c)3 status for my nonprofit organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I held community collection events where individuals, teams, businesses donated gently used sports gear, new equipment outgrown before use or gear left over from retail seasonal turnover. I cleaned the gear, organized and categorized items. Monthly times and dates to pick-up, drop-off, or exchange gear for free to any athlete flourished the program. I was heartened to receive my first business donation. Our local ReStore manager handed me ten boxes. The equipoised donation held football mouthguards in each box. That donation sparked an inner brightness toward my purpose. I earned an academic scholarship to an elite high school, Culver Academy. 40% of my classmates are international students and we push each other toward excellence in STEM. Culver prepared me for elite STEM colleges which are only possible to afford with scholarships.

Toby Flenderson is absolutely my favorite character! He is surrounded by ridiculous behavior from coworkers and administrators. His approach is to gently direct and correct actions through a more positive action plan. Not all situations are easy to correct but he shows up to work daily, knowing he will have to face conflict and residual personal fall-out, with the same calm demeanor. The first week of my 7th grade football season our head coach called over five of my teammates for a sideline meeting with the assistant coaches to “punish” the boys. The head coach explained that the five players were caught shoplifting football mouthguards at Shopko before practice. My mom was an assistant coach and furious as she said, “so a required safety equipment item was stolen by five low-income athletes as their means to meet the requirement for participation and you think the issue we need to discuss as a coaching staff is to punish them?’ We left the field and, on the drive home, discussed frustration that the school, coaching staff, and community didn’t offer an alternative support option for required equipment so more kids could participate.  I thought for days about how to bridge the gap between athletes in need of required equipment and those with extra gear. In October of 2018 I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I published our organization in the newspaper and on social media which lead to loads of equipment being donated! Individual community members donated gently used or outgrown sports gear. Then businesses, teams and organizations donated new equipment when they saw my program flourish. The donated items were given to any youth athlete in our community that needed the gear. The other organization I volunteer my summers with is the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy the summer of 2019 was a blind athlete. I used the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources to buy him a beeper baseball. He was able to track the ball by sound and would get amazing hits! My temperament is similar to Toby. We face chaos with calm resolutions. The actions Toby and myself do are anchored in "doing what's right" and not what's popular. This method of improving situations was logical to me and a great segue to how I became Toby in real life! I'm currently entering my senior year at Culver Academy, a military style elite (predominantly white) prep school, that I was only able to attend through an academic scholarship. My military rank last year was Diversity Sergeant. The position required me to address/counsel my peers for "diversity violations" reported within our unit. I was dumbfounded at times at how absurd justifications can be by people clearly doing wrong actions/behaviors. It does become comical to listen as my Caucasian peers explain to me why they have "earned" the right to use racial slurs. I remain calm, explain diversity inclusion behaviors but usually the end result to the conversation is a mind-blowing, completely wrong take-away by my peer. Sometimes I would sit and look for a camera after the conversations concluded because I felt like my present at the end each conversation was a rock with a post-it that said "Suck on this!"

The first week of football in 7th grade, our head coach called over five of my teammates, for a sideline meeting with the assistant coaches to “punish” the boys. The head coach explained that the five players were caught shoplifting football mouthguards at Shopko before practice. My mom was an assistant coach and furious saying, “so a required safety equipment item was stolen by five low-income athletes as their means to meet the requirement for participation and you think the issue we need to discuss as a coaching staff is to punish them?’ We left the field and, on the drive home, discussed frustration that the school, coaching staff, and community didn’t offer an alternative support option for required equipment so more kids could participate.  I thought for days about how to bridge the gap between athletes in need of required equipment and those with extra gear. In October of 2018 I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I published our organization in the newspaper and on social media which lead to loads of equipment being donated! Individual community members donated gently used or outgrown sports gear. Then businesses, teams and organizations donated new equipment when they saw my program flourish. The donated items were given to any youth athlete in our community that needed the gear. The other organization I volunteer my summers with is the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy the summer of 2019 was a blind athlete. I used the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources to buy him a beeper baseball. He was able to track the ball by sound and would get amazing hits! I tell you this information so that you understand why my favorite Team USA athlete is Fred Kerley. Fred grew up battling the odds from a young age. He has several tattoos as reminders to himself that his journey through life wasn't easy but he still honors where he came from. His parents weren't able to care for him so he was adopted by his Aunt, slept in a one bedroom home with thirteen family members, worked hard to remain positive and earn olympic greatness. Fred changed race distances from 400 meter to shorter races like the 100 meter and logged the sixth fastest time in history. His bronze medal in the 100 meter race at the Paris Olympics at age 29 is remarkable. It's fun to watch athletes accomplish greatness. The part that makes me root for Fred Kerley more than others, is that he exemplifies that love and support from just one person, can make all the difference.

In 2018, I was on the middle school 7th grade football team, and my mom was a volunteer coach. My mom was well known in our town for her athletic talent and highly competitive coaching level because she owned a powerlifting/CrossFit gym.  The first week of football our head coach called over five of my teammates for a sideline meeting with the assistant coaches to “punish” the boys. The head coach explained that the five players were caught shoplifting football mouthguards at Shopko before practice. My mom was furious and said, “so a required safety equipment item was stolen by five low-income athletes as their means to meet the requirement for participation and you think the issue we need to discuss as a coaching staff is to punish them?’ We left the field and, on the drive home, discussed frustration that the school, coaching staff, and community didn’t offer an alternative support option for required equipment so more kids could participate.  I thought for days about how to bridge the gap between athletes in need of required equipment and those with extra gear. In October of 2018 I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. I published our organization in the newspaper and on social media which lead to loads of equipment being donated! Individual community members donated gently used or outgrown sports gear. Then businesses, teams and organizations donated new equipment when they saw my program flourish. The donated items were given to any youth athlete in our community that needed the gear. The other organization I volunteer my summers with is the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy the summer of 2019 was a blind athlete. I used the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources to buy him a beeper baseball. He was able to track the ball by sound and would get amazing hits! Each Challenger league athlete faced a different physical challenge that caused additional economic burdens of paying for safety equipment. I became friends with one Challenger league buddy that was wheelchair dependent and asked him if he wanted to come watch my own baseball game the next day. He explained to me that his wheelchair only worked on the gravel path between two baseball diamonds that was unprotected with safety fencing. There was no way he was able to protect himself from foul balls hit during baseball games.  I organized a big fundraiser, raised $2500 in cash donations, and went to the city with a fence proposal. I used the donated funds to have the side of the baseball diamonds facing the handicapped bathroom to be fenced off for protection of spectators. My buddy never missed any of my games from that point forward. It was during this process when I found my purpose and life goal. When I was six, my mom was electrocuted on duty as a detective, severely injured and medically disabled. She adopted me as a single parent, my only family, so college will be financially challenging. I am a highly competitive athlete that previously viewed sports based upon performance.  Now I view athletics based upon experiences and my ability to help others participate and have their own experience! As I head into college to study medicine, my goal remains the same, to help others participate in life. Some situations may be more complex, but each can be met with teamwork, and my “family” showed me how to create unstoppable teams!

My mom adopted me at birth as a single parent. She knew being a single parent wasn't the easiest path but one she welcomed fully. In 2013, while working on duty as a detective, she was electrocuted when I was six. I spent several years sitting in specialized hospital therapy room while she went through years of physical, vestibular, speech, biofeedback, and cognitive therapy. My mom became great friends with all her therapists. One physical therapist stood out the most because my mom ran out of insurance coverage for her much needed therapy so her PT invited her to join her kettlebell class for free to continue improving under social supervision. The PT prepared functional fitness routines for my mom and her improvements were substantial as she regained her physical strength back. Some situations may be more complex, but each one can be met with some teamwork when surrounded by amazing . In 2018 I started a nonprofit 501(c)3 called Powerhouse Sports Closet. The motivation for the program stemmed from volunteering my summers with was the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy was blind so I used the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources I fundraised to buy him a beeper baseball. He was able to track the ball by sound and would get amazing hits! I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. All Challenger athletes faced different physical challenges: wheelchair bound, one nonverbal athlete that was shaken as a baby, and my last buddy had leg braces and a body brace to correct spina bifida. Each athlete faced a different physical challenge but all of their families faced the economic burden of paying for safety equipment to participate in sports. At each Challenger league game the parents filled the stands and cheered, the players all had fun and I loved participating. My second buddy had leg braces and a body brace to correct spina bifida. Mid summer he had a spinal correction surgery and became wheelchair dependent while he healed. I asked him if he wanted to come watch my baseball game and hangout. He explained to me that he would love to but his wheelchair only worked on the gravel warning track at the baseball diamond. Our city owned the baseball diamonds and only had protective fences in small segments. The handicapped bathrooms were on a raised cement platform and not accessible unless someone could lift the wheelchair onto the cement. The problem seemed simple to fix so I organized a big kickball fundraiser event, raised $2500 in cash donations, went to the city with a fence and cement transition proposal. The end result was that I used the fundraiser money to have the side of the baseball diamond facing the handicapped bathroom to be fenced off for protection and then connect a cement to the main gravel path. My buddy never missed my games from that point forward. My professional pursuit is to become a physical therapist and help patience regain their strength and independence. I am a highly competitive three sport athlete (football, hockey and baseball) that previously only viewed sports based upon my performance. After a knee scope and labrum shoulder repair I had the BEST PT help get me back into the game at full strength. Now I view athletics based upon experiences and maintaining health. My ability to include others, provide ways they can participate to have their own experience is my goal!

My mom adopted me at birth as a single parent. She knew being a single parent wasn't the easiest path but one she welcomed fully. In 2013, while working on duty as a detective, she was electrocuted when I was six years old. She suffered significant physical injuries but the most impactful was a traumatic brain injury. The TBI affected her memory, cognitive ability, motor function, speech and balance significantly so I had to become a caretaker at a young age. Through years of various types of physical and cognitive therapy, memory aids, adaptive equipment paired with pure motivation to improve, she regained independence. During her TBI rehabilitation, it was clear that the majority of fellow TBI patients were military veterans, all seeking various forms of therapy to return to an independent lifestyle. While I waited in the therapy rooms at various hospitals specializing speech, vestibular, biofeedback, occupation and physical therapy, I was always acknowledged and chatted with by service members with TBI similar diagnosis. My mom spoke to the service members with appreciation and respect about their dedication to our country. Often times the conversations would be joined by more and more rehab patients with military backgrounds, many therapists providing treatments were veterans, and all acknowledged the additional difficult aspect for veterans with TBIs to return to civilian life with the injury. The experience showed me that in a blink of an eye life can change. During the six years my mom spent recovering her independence I was surrounded by amazing people! I met so many veterans that all were in similar struggles but they all said they wouldn't change their choice to join the military. It was an inner calling. Life was different but never less rewarding. One day, when finances were significantly low after years of medical bills, I naively said to my mom that I wished we were wealthy. She asked me, "what do you think wealth is son?" Her question was followed with her view that we were abundantly wealthy with all the support shown by our "chosen family" with pure acts of kindness. My mom clarified by saying she is alive, improving physically and her view was "health is wealth!' In 2020, I was contacted by a hockey coach at Culver Military Academy and offered an amazing opportunity to attend their prep school on an academic scholarship. In Wisconsin, the only Military school was one used to reform delinquent boys, used by the juvenile court system as a way for arrested teen offenders to avoid a juvenile detention facility. My visit to Culver Military Academy instantly changed my view of Military schools. Our Culver Military leader is Colonel Mike Squires. Col Squires is an honorable, fair but stern leader with exemplary moral character that decided move his family to Culver for his children's education after teaching at West Point. My fellow classmates have high ranking military family members, one is currently the Admiral of a nuclear warship, so I'm fortunate to have this unique Culver opportunity. Our school is structured similar to the military as a method to develop leadership, critical thinking and discipline. I have grown and thrive under the guidance of the military environment. Pair the unique Culver military school environment with my life experience interacting with military veterans for years has led me to understand my calling to apply for service academies and pursue a career in medicine, especially pertaining to TBIs, for veterans. The military is the ultimate profession of honor. The selfless sacrifice to join doesn't come with personal safety measures, it isn't an easy path, but it's mine.

My mom adopted me at birth as a single parent. She knew being a single parent wasn't the easiest path but one she welcomed fully. In 2013, while working on duty as a detective, she was electrocuted when I was six years old. She suffered significant physical injuries but the most impactful was a traumatic brain injury. The TBI affected her memory, cognitive ability, motor function, speech and balance significantly so I had to become a caretaker at a young age. Through years of various types of physical and cognitive therapy, memory aids, adaptive equipment paired with pure motivation to improve, she regained independence. The experience showed me that in a blink of an eye life can change. During the six years she spent recovering her independence, I was surrounded by amazing people that helped her get me to my actives and events. Life was different but never less rewarding. One day, when finances were significantly low after years of medical bills, I naively said to my mom that I wished we were wealthy. She asked me, "what do you think wealth is son?" Her question was followed with her view that we were abundantly wealthy with all the support shown by our "chosen family" with pure acts of kindness. My mom clarified by saying she is alive, improving physically and her view was "health is wealth!' In the summer of 2018 my mom and I began volunteering with was the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy was blind, an amazing athlete, and he told me he was saving up for a beeper ball to track by sound to hit. My mom overcame many physical obstacles with the help of physical aids so I presented a plan to her where I could seek out community donations of new or gently used sports equipment at the end of each sports season. If I was blessed with cash donations then I could purchase items like a beeper ball or required safety equipment for all participants. She helped me apply for 501(c)3 status and I named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. My fundraising efforts were successful and the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources lead to purchasing my buddy a beeper baseball. He was able to instantly get amazing hits and everyone at the game cheered for him! His parents cried with pride and truthfully so did I. My entire perspective of athletic accomplishments up to that point was from a highly competitive athlete perspective. Now I view athletics based upon experiences and my ability to include others to participate and have their own experience! All Challenger athletes face different physical challenges. At each Challenger league game the parents filled the stands and cheered, the players all had fun and I loved participating. It became obvious that our City owned baseball/softball fields didn't allow enough protection or accessibility for my Challenger buddies. After brainstorming, I organized a big kickball fundraiser event, raised $2500 in cash donations, paid to have the side of the baseball diamond facing the handicapped bathroom to be fenced off for protection of spectators at the City owned park. We then made a gravel path to the diamonds for wheelchair accessibility. My buddies never missed any of my games from that point forward. Some situations may be more complex but each one can be met with teamwork toward progress. One simple question about my definition of wealth motivated me toward a career in medical equipment development.

My mom adopted me at birth as a single parent. She knew being a single parent wasn't the easiest path but one she welcomed fully. In 2013, while working on duty as a detective, she was electrocuted when I was six years old. She suffered significant physical injuries but the most impactful was a traumatic brain injury. The TBI affected her memory, cognitive ability, motor function, speech and balance significantly so I had to become a caretaker at a young age. Through years of various types of physical and cognitive therapy, memory aids, adaptive equipment paired with pure motivation to improve, she regained independence. The experience showed me that in a blink of an eye life can change. Health is wealth! During the six years she spent recovering her independence, I was surrounded by amazing people that helped her get me to my actives and events. Life was different but never less rewarding. All the support shown to me by our "chosen family" helped me appreciate pure acts of kindness and gain an inner motivation to give back to the community as a sign of appreciation. I began volunteering my summers in 2018 with was the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy was blind. After a game I was chatting with his parents and they mentioned a family goal was to raise money to purchase him a beeper baseball to track the ball by sound. My mom overcame many physical obstacles with the help of physical aids so I presented a plan to her where I could seek out community donations of new or gently used sports equipment at the end of each sports season. If I was blessed with cash donations then I could purchase items like a beeper ball or required safety equipment for all participants. In 2018 I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. My fundraising efforts were successful and the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources lead to purchasing my buddy a beeper baseball. He was able to instantly get amazing hits and everyone at the game cheered for him! His parents cried with pride and truthfully so did I. My entire perspective of athletic accomplishments up to that point was from a highly competitive athlete perspective, only viewing sports based upon personal performance, but that changed instantly. Now I view athletics based upon experiences and my ability to include others to participate and have their own experience! All Challenger athletes faced different physical challenges. At each Challenger league game the parents filled the stands and cheered, the players all had fun and I loved participating. I became close friends with my Challenger league buddies over the years. It became obvious that our City owned baseball/softball fields didn't allow enough protection or accessibility for my Challenger buddies to watch games comfortably or safely. After brainstorming, I organized a big kickball fundraiser event, raised $2500 in cash donations, went to the city with a fence quote and proposal to pay for it. The end result was that my fundraising donations hired and paid to have the side of the baseball diamond facing the handicapped bathroom to be fenced off for protection of spectators. We then made a gravel path to the diamonds which connected to the main gravel path. My buddies never missed any of my games from that point forward. Some situations may be more complex but each one can be met with teamwork toward progress.

n 2018 I started a nonprofit 501(c)3 called Powerhouse Sports Closet. The motivation for the program stemmed from an incident where 5 of my middle school teammates got caught shoplifting mouth guards. Our school required athletes to purchase them to participate in football but all 5 kids were from economically challenged homes that couldn’t afford the mouth guards. The student athletes walked to Shopko and stole the mouth guards, were arrested and the middle school was notified and the athletes were suspended. Our community didn’t offer an alternative support option for required equipment so more kids could participate. I presented a plan to my mom where I could seek out community donations of new or gently used sports equipment at the end of each sports season and purchase required safety equipment for all participants. In 2018 I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. Another organization I volunteer my summers with was the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy was blind so I used the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources I fundraised to buy him a beeper baseball. He was able to track the ball by sound and would get amazing hits! All Challenger athletes faced different physical challenges: wheelchair bound, one nonverbal athlete that was shaken as a baby, and my last buddy had leg braces and a body brace to correct spina bifida. Each athlete faced a different physical challenge but all of their families faced the economic burden of paying for safety equipment to participate in sports. At each Challenger league game the parents filled the stands and cheered, the players all had fun and I loved participating. I became friends with one Challenger league buddy that was wheelchair dependent and asked him if he wanted to come watch my own baseball game the next day. He explained to me that he would love to but his wheelchair only worked on the gravel warning track at the baseball diamond. Our city owned the baseball diamonds and only had the warning track in small segments. The backstop fence had soft sand. The handicapped bathrooms were along a gravel path but then there was 50 feet of grass before getting to the dugout. I organized a big kickball fundraiser event, raised $2500 in cash donations, went to the city with a fence quote. The end result was that I used the donated funds to have the side of the baseball diamond facing the handicapped bathroom to be fenced off for protection of spectators and then lined with a gravel path which connected to the main gravel path. My buddy never missed any of my games from that point forward. My mom adopted me at birth as a single parent. She knew being a single parent wasn't the easiest path but one she welcomed fully. In 2013, while working on duty as a detective, she was electrocuted when I was six. Through years of physical therapy, several surgeries, a move to Beaver Dam, WI to be near family and friends while recovering, we met all challenges as a mother/son family. Some situations may be more complex, but each one can be met with some teamwork and our team of two is unstoppable. I am a highly competitive athlete that previously only view sports based upon performance. Now I view athletics based upon experiences and my ability to include others to participate and have their own experience! My mom is my motivation.

In 2018 I started a nonprofit 501(c)3 called Powerhouse Sports Closet. The motivation for the program stemmed from an incident where 5 of my middle school teammates got caught shoplifting mouth guards. Our school required athletes to purchase them to participate in football but all 5 kids were from economically challenged homes that couldn’t afford the mouth guards. The student athletes walked to Shopko and stole the mouth guards, were arrested and the middle school was notified and the athletes were suspended. Our community didn’t offer an alternative support option for required equipment so more kids could participate. I presented a plan to my mom where I could seek out community donations of new or gently used sports equipment at the end of each sports season and purchase required safety equipment for all participants. In 2018 I applied for 501(c)3 status and named my organization Powerhouse Sports Closet. Another organization I volunteer my summers with was the Challenger League. It’s a baseball team that plays games every Sunday night June-August. I was partnered with a physically challenged peer athlete to help them compete in the game. My baseball buddy was blind so I used the Powerhouse Sports Closet resources I fundraised to buy him a beeper baseball. He was able to track the ball by sound and would get amazing hits! All Challenger athletes faced different physical challenges: wheelchair bound, one nonverbal athlete that was shaken as a baby, and my last buddy had leg braces and a body brace to correct spina bifida. Each athlete faced a different physical challenge but all of their families faced the economic burden of paying for safety equipment to participate in sports. At each Challenger league game the parents filled the stands and cheered, the players all had fun and I loved participating. I became friends with one Challenger league buddy that was wheelchair dependent and asked him if he wanted to come watch my own baseball game the next day. He explained to me that he would love to but his wheelchair only worked on the gravel warning track at the baseball diamond. Our city owned the baseball diamonds and only had the warning track in small segments: home run fence and dugouts. The backstop fence had soft sand. The handicapped bathrooms were along a gravel path but then there was 50 feet of grass before getting to the dugout. I organized a big kickball fundraiser event, raised $2500 in cash donations, went to the city with a fence quote. The end result was that I used the donated funds to have the side of the baseball diamond facing the handicapped bathroom to be fenced off for protection of spectators and then lined with a gravel path which connected to the main gravel path. My buddy never missed any of my games from that point forward. My mom adopted me at birth as a single parent. She knew being a single parent wasn't the easiest path but one she welcomed fully. In 2013, while working on duty as a detective, she was electrocuted when I was six. Through years of physical therapy, several surgeries, a move to Beaver Dam, WI to be near family and friends while recovering, we met all challenges as a mother/son family. Some situations may be more complex, but each one can be met with some teamwork and our team of two is unstoppable. I am a highly competitive athlete that previously only view sports based upon performance. Now I view athletics based upon experiences and my ability to include others to participate and have their own experience!