by ARJ, San Mateo
The thing I am most proud of isn’t anything I did on the outs. The thing I’m most proud of is being able to take this hard time in my life and turning it into something rather than just being mad that I got caught.
I know it might sound dumb, but I am happy that I got caught because I was on a path that would have ended with me either dead or locked up for way longer than I am going to be right now.
When I first came down I was very angry that I got caught because I felt like this was just going to be a big waste of time, but now I have a way different point of view on this time and in life in general.
I wasn’t going to play one of my most favorite things anymore because I was so focused on getting money and doing drugs. Now I’ve decided to continue to play football because I showed some of my staff here my highlights and they said I could do something with football because of my skills. I obviously know it’s a very low chance of me making it to the NFL, but I’m at least going to be something I love and that keeps me out of trouble.
But of course, I’m going to aim high and try and make it to the pros, but I have a plan B. I am going to Chabot College to play football and join their welding program because I want to be a welder as my career. I’m using this time to learn the basics of what I need to become a welder.
One of my biggest helpers is my mom because she’s gotten me books so I can do my research because we are not able to use technology at school anymore. This is why I am proud of myself because I’m chasing the legal way to make money so I can be able to support a family one day. I have good goals that I never would’ve had if I never got caught.