As a young man in high school, I was a dreamer. I dreamt of all of the things I wanted to accomplish for my life as a way to maintain hope during that time. As a low-income, first generation college student from Detroit, Michigan, the unconditional love from my mother replaced all the things I didn’t have. From a young age, I was very passionate about becoming a teacher in my adult life and going to college was surely going to get me there. I was very grateful for how dedicated my teachers were to my future and I wanted to give that in return to future students. I was determined to be the first in my family to graduate college in order to change the quality of life for my family and make them proud. Receiving an invitation to become a Thompson Scholar in the PLA was my golden ticket to make all of my dreams a reality. When I learned of the generosity from Robert and Ellen Thompson, I knew that this opportunity would change my life forever.

As a Thompson Scholar, I experienced “metamorphosis” as it relates to my identity as a leader. My focus transformed from being a leader who could be in charge of others, to establishing myself as a servant leader who was concerned with serving others. As a high school junior, my mother told me that she did not have any money to send me to college, but that God would make a way. I will always look at the Thompsons as my fairy godparents who made my one wish come true. Although I was a complete stranger to them, they saw my potential and believed that my life had purpose.

My opportunities as a Thompson Scholar enriched my college experience at BGSU, which established a great foundation for my life. While in college, I was granted the opportunity to study abroad to Havana, Cuba, making me the first in my family to travel to another country. I established a student-led choir on campus, Voices at BGSU, which still represents BGSU in a variety of musical settings across the region and is a community for many students on campus. I endured a unique student teaching experience that prepared me for my current position as a high school English teacher in Houston, Texas. As I move through my life, the gratefulness that I have for the Thompsons runs viciously though my veins. I will never forget how one single act of kindness can impact a generation and the entire world. I am still growing and developing as a person, but I will always carry with me the values of integrity, service, and gratitude.

As I come to end of my graduate school studies and begin my Doctorate of Education in the summer, I am dedicated to using my platform as an educator and future principal to inspire students, teachers, staff, and community members to achieve their dreams. It is because of Robert and Ellen Thompson that I am dedicated to being a catalyst for positive change in my community and in the world by letting my passions guide me to serve.