Dajuan Riddle '24 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statment

My name is Dajuan Riddle , I’m a 2024 all around threat guard. That attends Mundy’s Mill High School.

In January of 2022, my life changed forever. Seeing my life flash, I thought it was over. It was that night that my brother came to the house unexpectedly. Later that same night, as time went by, my brother was chasing me down the street with a gun. I was saying to myself, "I'm about to get shot" . Eventually, the cops came, and everything ended the right way. I called my grandma right after everything happened. I couldn’t even talk; it was a phone call of straight tears for 20 minutes. I kept saying to my grandma," Why me, Grandma? I’m only 16." My mom came into my room and gave me a hug, and we kept telling each other we’re sorry while crying. I never knew what it was. I knew my brother did drugs, but I never knew what type. Later on, I found out he had schizophrenia, but I wouldn't have thought so. The bond between me and my brother was always great; no matter what it was, he was always there for me. Even though everybody made it out safely, after that night, I just started seeing life differently. I take no day for granted. Then, in early May 2023, my grandma passed away. It was heartbreaking. I didn’t know how to feel. My grandma was the most uplifting person I knew. I never realized how fast these things happen. I always put so much pressure on myself to be great because I feel like every kid I inspire is looking up to me, and I see myself as the last one standing. Being a 17-year-old with one more school year left, I know I have to get it done by any means. I remember going to my grandma's funeral, and I felt like I was doing so well, holding in all the pain and tears. Then they started to play a life tribute to her, and I started to see all the pictures of her and my brother, seeing how happy they were. I was just saying in my head, "I miss you. I miss the old days" , but eventually I started pouring, not being able to hold it in. My brother was always a good brother, mentor, trainer, or whatever you want to call it. If anything, I always try to keep my head up and a smile on my face because, at the end of the day, it’s life and not many people care what you go through.