Elijah Graham '17 Recruiting Profile

Well, I'm usually not one to boast, however, if there were ever a time, now would be that time. I've spent the majority of my life doing everything possible to take one step higher than those around me. To stand taller and stronger is my idea of success. I have been the shining star of every football and track team I've been on since I were in the 4th grade. I never stop until that much is obvious. Even in my 8th grade track year, I've gone undefeated the entire season in my events, including the 100m dash and even high jump (which I no longer do). Throughout my life, I have not anyone that is my same age and faster than me. I take pride in being a step ahead of my peers. If they are training or studying 5 days per week, I will do the same 6 days per week. My favorite superhero is Batman. Every superhero around Batman is born with a ridiculous superpower, however Batman wins the fights he is in with these people that are basically gods, simply by being more prepared. That speaks to me. I have not missed my spot on the quarterly honor roll since I were in 5th grade. I remember my 6th grade math teacher having a serious talk with me to break the news to me that I was smart. He literally told that I was "gifted" and I was actually surprised. I take pride in working hard for what I want. I have had 3 jobs in my time in high school and I was even the star of those jobs. One of the jobs, I've made myself. I have hired my friends and began a domestic service company which is doing quite well. I have a little phrase I say that is pretty literal and it is that I have so many desires and ambitions that I don't even know what to dream about anymore. I wrote a poem about strength in my sophomore year in high school that was voted a class favorite. The idea of the project was simply to show something we believe in and strength may be the only thing that I believe in. My poem was Spartan-themed and it had 5 traits that meant bravery to me and I related them to pieces of Spartan armor.; the traits were ambition, integrity, bravery, willpower, and independence and I would like to share a few quotes that I like to live by. "Ambition guides my extremities to the places no one else can ever be, telling me I must be the best at whatever I desire and ignore the curse of my levity.""A chest piece of Spartan armor is nothing to hide behind but while the Spartan carries the integrity in his heart, there is nothing left to hide." " Bravery may protect me from the world, but how would I know the difference? Bravery is the only thing keeping the biggest of my fears at the shortest of a distance. I fear none then may fear all, but to eternal fear I will never fall with the shield of my bravery at my beckoning call. If the shield is fake, then do not tell me please, for a false sense of confidence may be all I truly need." " As a sword, willpower is nothing to play with and as a will, a sword must be stayed away with. Holding a strong will is an intellectual chore and as a sword, my will may not always be the strongest, but I promise, it will be stronger than yours." "Stronger than most alone, a Spartan is powerful enough to fight on his own. As the helmet proved itself throughout such a period of time, it is the most vital piece of armor, despite the pieces many Spartans do leave behind. He could stand on top of a mountain with merely the helmet on his head and if someone tells him to stop, he lets them know that he'd rather be dead. He is a man that is strong and freestanding, that believes more in speaking as a man, and less in gathering allies and chanting." "Bravery stands not in the body of size, but rather in the ferocity residing in the warrior's eyes. When you've seen bravery, you have seen love. Not the type given out in an amorous hug." "No matter who are your enemies and who are your friends, what is important is important, and that is trait not a trend. If you have strength then scream...but I don't hear a sound. The true strength that is present is not the same strength that is found." I am involved in 4 different clubs, I am a volunteer, I am an All-State track athlete, I am the owner of a company, I am a leader, and I am truly strong. Recruiting me is much more than just recruiting another athlete. Thank you.