Growing up as the fifth of eight siblings in McLeansville, North Carolina, I learned early about the connection between our actions and their outcomes. My mother instilled the values of hard work and perseverance, which became crucial as I pursued my aspirations.

In my senior year of high school, I received a football scholarship from a small university, a dream opportunity for competing at the collegiate level. However, considering my family’s financial struggles, my mother, a single parent raising eight children, I realized that accepting the scholarship would place a significant burden on her. With no family experience in higher education, we were unaware of the financial aid resources available to us. For my family, success meant graduating from high school, a milestone we celebrated. After much reflection, I made the tough decision to forego college and enlist in the United States Army. This decision felt right, allowing me to support my family while embarking on a journey filled with new challenges and personal growth.