Landan Gillespie '23 Recruiting Profile

Why are we still going? A question I frequently asked myself throughout the world-wide pandemic and my sophomore and junior year. A question that held so much meaning to me at the time that it shaped me into the person I least desired to be. A lazy, nonchalant, and gloomy character. I had no direction in life and was in need of help that I couldn’t ask for. That was my reality. Being in a relationship did not help me either, it only hindered my progression emotionally and as a person. With all of these influences weighing negatively on me I was still able to pull myself to a great position academically and athletically. I was able to do this because of my friends and coaches who helped me through those tough times. Not to mention the sport that has had my back through it all, track and field. 

Whether I am on the track or in the classroom I am always grinding and working hard to become better in whatever I focus on. I can’t, however, say this for all four years that I’ve attended Kenwood Academy. To be transparent, this version of me wasn’t present during quarantine or transitioning out of it into junior year. But through the pandemic, depression, heartbreak, and frustration, I was able to pull out several academic and athletic accolades that have impressed family and even admin within the school community. I was able to balance out the failing 1.9 GPA that I earned during my sophomore year, and the mediocre 3.0 GPA that I earned my junior year and start my senior year off with 3 new AP classes and a Dual Credit class to start my final year with a 4.3 weighted GPA. Along with prospering grades I am able to manage athletic performances that have ranked me among some of the best runners in the state and carve my name in the record books of Kenwood academy with 5+ school records in indoor/outdoor track and field and cross country. 

So why do we keep going? Well I know why I continue forward. I keep going to be better. Not just for me, but for the people around me and the ones who will be here after me. I strive to be a role model and create a reputation of hard work, grit, and persistence. I want people to see me as a person who doesn’t give up and gives his all no matter what adversities he’s faced with. Whether it’s depression, AP physics, or running a mile at top speed, there is nothing that me or anyone can’t push through.