My mother divorced my alcoholic and abusive father when I turned 7. After that I didn't speak to my biological father for almost 12 years, however, I was lucky in that the man she remarried to treated me like his own child and raised me to be who I am today.  I never felt out of place or as if I had no father.  My step-father passed away suddenly in June of 2007, shortly after my high school graduation.  He lived just long enough to see my graduate high school and receive an ROTC scholarship, which I later declined in lieu of an academic scholarship. 

I plan to become a paramedic and make a living helping people.  My biggest dream in life, however, is to be a successful father and raise a happy family.