"Letter to Me"

•      My favorite family memory or memories would have to be the time I got to spend with my Paw-Paw before he passed away. The past seventeen years that I got to spend with my Paw-Paw are something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He taught me so many things that I am very thankful for. He taught me that the love of a “father” runs deeper than blood, and he taught me how to treat the woman that you truly love.
       My Paw-Paw had the greatest sense of humor, and he loved to joke around with people. His jokes were always harmless, but very funny. When I was younger he use to always call me “brain damage.” He loved giving us grandchildren nicknames and he would do anything to get under our skin, but I know that he loved us more than anything. I can only remember one time that he gave me a spanking, and by the tears that came out of his eyes, and him telling me he loved me, I knew that it hurt him more than it hurt me.
       I can’t say what it was about my Paw-Paw that I seemed to love the most. Was it his love for children, his personality, or his glowing red hair that was always perfectly combed? All I know is that I would not be the young man that I am today without him.

A Favorite School Memory

•      When I think of all the years that I have been in school, it brings back so many memories. I will never forget the night we played the highly ranked “Collinsville Pirates”. Even though it was a non-district game, it really meant a lot to our football team.
       We had been hearing how we were destined to fail, how we could not play at their level, and we were thirty point “underdogs”. This unneeded criticism would keep our spirits up during the game, it was like a never-ending fire that burned inside of us until the final whistle. On the last play of the game, Collinsville had the ball on the five yard line, we were up 34-29, and they thrived on plays like this. As the ball was snapped, their quarterback rolled back and threw the ball in the middle of the end zone. The ball was thrown in the direction of what looked like an open receiver, but fate would turn against them. At the last second, our star player, Chase Enis, jumped in front of the pass and intercepted it to seal one of the biggest wins in Celeste football history.

Something That You've Accomplished That You're The Most Proud Of

•      There are many things that I have accomplished that made me proud of myself, but the day I stood up and gave a speech at my Paw-Paw's funeral will, in my opinion, always be my greatest accomplishment. I did not even know how I was going to start the speech off, not to mention if I would even be in a stable state to give the speech. As I started up towards the podium, I was really nervous, but when I started the speech the words just came to me. Through the nervousness and tears coming from my eyes, I completed the speech and went back to my seat.

Things In Your Life That Are The Most Important To You NOW

•      Now, as a junior in high school, I really like to keep my focus on grades, sports, and other extracurricular activities. My family members are also extremely important to me; they have made a huge impact on my life. All together going to church and my relationship with God is probably one of my biggest priorities.

Things That You're Worried About NOW

•      Now I’m really worried about how good I am going to do at our next track meet, because I need to find out where I stand against other competitors. So far I have been doing well, but without real competition I won’t know where I am at. I am also worried about my friends, because some of them are going through some hard times right now.

Things You Like To Do/Ways You Spend Your Time NOW

•      Well I like to play video games, basketball, football, and just hang out with my friends. Usually I’m just hanging out with my best friends Beau, Chase, Jamie, Dillon, Jake, Jaron, Dustin, Robert, and Chris. When I am alone though, I just like to watch television and sleep.
  

Career Goals You Hope To Accomplish In The FUTURE

•      Well in the future I want to have a college degree and a good job where I get paid good money. I would like a job preferably in the field of marketing and advertising. Then, I just want to live a happy life after that, because I won’t need to be rich and famous to accomplish my true meaning of success.

Your Relationship And/Or Family Plans For The FUTURE

•      Right now I don’t really want to plan out my future family plans because I really don’t care. I care about my family, but how do I know what is going to happen to them or whatever else? I don’t plan things because I believe things just come and go without any planning, but I hope to stay close with all my friends and family.