Personal Statement
If you had told me, fifth grade Nai’Ryan, that my mom’s incarceration and my separation from the four older brothers who protected me would eventually propel me towards my purpose, I would have angrily rejected you. It was one of the darkest, loneliest times of my life. After a failed foster placement, I spent the next almost five years at two group homes in two different parts of South Carolina, which is really no place for children to grow up. However, I can say now that my experiences in the system taught me many valuable lessons. One of the most important was the importance of being a hope-filled overcomer.
When you are separated from everyone you know and do not even fully understand when or if you’ll ever see them again, it is difficult not to feel devalued and powerless. For a while, I did feel like an outcast, a forgotten kid. I could have chosen to let that define me, but instead I decided that no one had anything more to prove than me- and sports was my outlet. My resources and access to opportunities were limited, but I faithfully watched professional athletes and read books about how these athletes became successful because that was a goal of mine: to become a professional athlete of some sort. In my child-mind, this would ensure that I reached my ultimate goal which was to be successful in any way possible so that I could get my family back. To a fifth grade boy in a group home, I believed I would find that success in sports. As a junior in high school now, I wish I could talk to that fifth grade boy and tell him that he would overcome the dark days and find the success he sought in family and in football.
Right before my sophomore year, I found my family and a home, and I have had some opportunities to re-connect and re-build relationships with my mom and brothers. My new home brought me to my school who I have helped lead, as a quarterback, to a state title game in only our second season together. The skills I possess on the football field are natural and raw, as I have not had the opportunities to benefit from a lot of skilled training. I am a very well rounded player who can do just about anything on the field from running varying offenses and working hard as a defensive back to kicking field goals and serving as a punter. Football has taught me how to become a leader, and has helped to build my character through hard times. Due to our size and availability of athletes, I spend very little time off the field. There are times I have to struggle through injury, fatigue and frustration because my teammates depend on me to overcome the adversity before me. It is in those times that I can draw from the strength and experiences of “fifth grade Nai’Ryan” to work with my teammates towards success. When they want to quit, I certainly do not let them because I know how important it is to stay the course and what you will find on the other side.
I have not always known who I am or felt very valuable, but today I do and I know that I am. I do not wish for anyone to experience the pain and hardship I did; however, I am thankful that God has used the difficulties in my life to guide me to my purpose. I am confident that I will be an asset to any team that provides me with an opportunity to play because I have been blessed with talent, but, more importantly, I know that there is nothing before me or my team that we cannot overcome. I will always encourage my teammates and lead when called upon to stay the course and finish the race. After high school, I believe I would like to study pre-law and then go on to law school. I am very involved in my school, which houses students K3-12th grade so I have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the younger children who I know look up to me. I work very hard to be someone they are proud of, can depend on and want to be like. I attend and participate in almost every special event, and enjoy that because I am an outcast no more. My foundation is strong and my support group even stronger so I know that I will become the success my “fifth grade self” prayed I would be.
