Personal Statement

What was that defining moment in my life that made me the person I am today? I feel to answer that question I must go back to my youth and examine the major events.

            I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. After a few years, my family and I moved to Danville, Illinois. I don’t remember much but, I do remember my house, my school, and playing in the snow. The one thing that stood out was life in the cold climate was very different than life in sunny Miami. After just a year in Danville, we moved backed down to Miami. I attended school at Coral Park Elementary and began playing tackle football in 2nd grade. At a very young age I knew two things; I wanted to go to college and I wanted to play football. By 3rd or 4th grade, my teachers advised my parents that I should be tested for the gifted program. The only thing I knew about the gifted program was that it was the same curriculum with more homework. My parents and I made the decision to apply for the Cambridge Magnet Program which is one of the more difficult curriculums in Miami-Dade. My parents left the final decision up to me which I appreciate now that I had a voice at such a young age. Finally, the day came when I was accepted into the Cambridge Program at W.R. Thomas Middle School.

            In middle school it was very clear as soon as I arrived that the Cambridge Program was a big step up from the normal curriculum I was used to in elementary. It was a long adjustment period with many hurdles. In my opinion, it’s a lot like football. Everything at first seems to be moving really fast and confusing but, the more you do it the slower and easier it becomes. I got to travel a lot throughout my years in middle school and I learned a lot from it. I saw most of the United States but the most important place I visited was Washington D.C. as I learned much about my nation’s history and government. In 7th grade, I won a national championship with the Pop Warner Tamiami Colts which further strengthened my love for American football. I had an important conversation with my older sister about my future and especially my career path. After that conversation I figured I wanted a career path in medicine as an Orthopedic Surgeon.

            I continued the Cambridge Program at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High. I found a healthy balance between my education, football, and my social life. All the Cambridge courses I have taken have been quite challenging. Those courses combined with some Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses have been the bulk of my high school curriculum. As for football, I have gone through, like much of my life, a difficult journey that started at the bottom and through hard work and dedication I rose to the top. I have learned many life lessons out on that football field.

            Now as a senior in high school writing this essay, I realize that my life is not defined by a single moment. Instead, my life has been made up of many defining events even the ones that seemed insignificant at the time. Looking into my future, I am anxiously waiting for the next chapter of my life.