Grimy Street Signs by Nathaniel

Grimy Street Signs by Nathaniel - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

“You gotta work to get what you want in life” was the phrase instilled in my mind since a child. From day one growing up in the inner city neighborhood i knew anyplace worth going wasnt gonna be easy. Walking to the gas station just to pump gas you see thugs, drug dealers and attics. You hear loud music playing and see groups going in and out the gas station. Looking on the ground you could even see the drug needles. They said growing up in the hood you're not suppose to graduate and have anything going for yourself, but no matter the situation you have to stay focused on your goal and get through that monkey on your back called adversity.
In the environment i grew up in, it was normal to drop out and become a statistic. In my neighborhood you'll get “jugged” in broad daylight by crackheads and dope fiends. That's why they call us Grimy. I had to make sure i was in the house when you can't see the street signs and when the street lights come on. Forced to a man, i had to defend myself some days. Knuckles full of teeth and i was only 16 trying to dodge the cage. People my age already cell living or out with P.O’s. From stealing cars, to home invasions, and some are even in for murder. Just being in the wrong place at the wrong time will put you away.
During school, my mother always told me being mediocre like the people in my neighborhood wasn't going to get me anywhere. “There will be no grades below an 80%” Mom said. Mom was a hard working women for us. She works long hours 6 days a week to support us as a single parent. Us, as in my younger brothers and I. I also have an older sister pursuing her dreams in college. Growing up everyone wanted to be big business guys, Architects and lawyers, but I wanted to stay around football while making money. I started playing football in the 7th grade. I was a little inexperienced but, that same year i knew that was something I wanted to stay around forever. It was a family outside of home. 70 brothers and about 11 dads stirring us on the right path. Before football I knew some of my close friends would have been in smoke and end up falling in the waters of Grimy Greenspoint. So, one particular morning I decided I would become a Athletic Director. A job where I can be around football, hire coaches, and make football schedules. I would have to go to school for at least 4 years and earn a Bachelor's in sports management. After that, I wish to stay in Texas maybe even the Houston area. Mom said “if you going to do something, make sure you love it”. By sophomore year I ran into issues in my life that would make other students quit in school. My mother lost her job and shortly after we lost our home. We had to move everything out our house within 12 hours. So, we had tables and boxes all in the grass down stairs moving as quick as possible. I’ve dealt with adversity more than any other person my age. That school year I pushed harder and said forget parties, forget tv shows and forget distractions. There are 86400 seconds in a day and every second needs to be spent perfecting my craft. Others in the neighborhood would rather see you fall. They'll do everything in their power to keep you in the water. Yesterday's history tomorrow’s a mystery and today’s a gift from god.
In conclusion, you either going to be a statistic or your gonna prove them wrong. No matter what you going through and any condition, my whole life has been getting through adversity. My past has shaped me to the hardworking young man am today. Having a mother that stayed hard on me so i could be phenomenal in school helped me stay a step ahead other students. Not all students are raised the same and that's a fact. “You gotta work for what you want” will always be instilled until the day I die.