“You adapt. You overcome. You improvise,” Clint Eastwood said in the 1986 film “Heartbreak Ridge.” Yes, that quote was meant for a recon platoon in the Marines, but it also holds significance to me.
I’ve adapted by changing my major until I found what I am passionate about. I’ve overcome my background, becoming the first in my family to get a college degree.
And I’ve improvised, by coming from a high school where the average ACT score was a 17 and there was no preparation for college. I will graduate with 179 credit hours in nine semesters. I have worked at least 20 hours per week in each of those semesters. I can gladly say that I have earned my degree.
Of course, I’ve had some help along the way. My family has supported me and pushed me to continue my education. My jobs at Tech have helped me not only financially, but have also given me experience in the sports field. That experience, to me, is as valuable as all of the classes I’ve taken at Tech combined.
Finally, I give you a quote passed down to me from my great-grandfather. Boyd Goodwin was told this when he was being shipped out to fight for our country in World War II: “Don’t ever forget who you are or where you came from.”
As always, thanks for reading.