James

I excelled in sports and was a six-sport athlete in high school, earning numerous awards and winning state championships. I never thought I would have made it this far, but I did. Sports helped alleviate childhood trauma and taught me that, to remain in sports, I had to maintain good grades and professionalism.

Midway through my high school career, the thought of becoming a professional athlete went through my head over and over. However, I quickly learned that the odds of this happening, or even becoming a collegiate athlete, were less than 1–3%. Later in my high school journey, I ended up having 16 Division I colleges scout me and offer me the opportunity to play baseball on athletic scholarship at their schools.

Soon, all the hard work through the struggles, pain, and trauma in my early childhood, along with a better upbringing after being adopted, was paying off. I signed a baseball athletic scholarship to an NCAA Division I school. My dream was starting to become reality.

I achieved high honors in college while earning my Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (K-12), along with a health and wellness endorsement attached to a national teaching license. I was also invited to a minor league professional baseball tryout, which I never thought would happen in my lifetime.

Shortly after my college and professional baseball career, I decided to put my degree to use by becoming an educator. I served as a department chair, and later, for my outstanding teaching and coaching, I was awarded two national recognition awards from former President Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama through Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

After many years of coaching and teaching, I decided it was time to do something bigger than myself. For the future of my children, if I were to have any, I chose to join the United States Air Force to serve and protect my country, while also making sure that my child would never have to deal with the struggles I had to endure. It was a true testament and challenge, but also another opportunity to embark on a path of training so that others may live. I served as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder.

I could not have asked for more in my life, and I slowly started to realize how short life is and how many lives you can foster, teach, and truly touch in a positive way. I do not think I will ever stop working as hard as I do, or ever be able to get back those seven years of my life I lost in the foster care system. However, what I can do is try to touch each and every individual who crosses my path in life.

During my service, I was a decorated soldier and experienced many things most people will never be a part of or be able to speak on. While enlisted, I took advantage of the free education available to me and obtained another degree in Fire Science.

At the time my enlistment contract was coming to an end, I found out that I had serious medical conditions arise due to my military service. It was time to decide whether to continue or leave the military. I had intended to reenlist for another contract; however, I ended up medically separating after realizing I had pushed my body and mind too hard and no longer met Department of Defense standards to continue my military career on full active duty.

I love my career and love learning, because I strongly believe it does not matter what age, size, color, or ethnicity someone is. Everyone, including myself, can learn from one another. My journey from foster child, to student athlete, to college athlete, to educator and coach, and then to soldier, has shaped who I am. I promised myself to always be fair, firm, and passionate, while maintaining integrity, putting service before self, and pursuing excellence in all I do.