King of My Destiny

On Friday, May 8, 2009, I joined over 300 persons who graduated from Boys and Girls High School (Brooklyn), to reunite and celebrate each other’s accomplishments and successes! During this unforgettable event, I had the privilege of being crowned reunion king. The winners (king and queen) were selected through a voting process, where the nominees had to submit an essay, and the reunion attendees voted based on the writings alone. It was truly a humbling experience, and I wanted to share my essay with you all (below).

At first, I was kind of skeptical about writing this, because I thought that someone more deserving should win. Someone who, during high school, truly walked with the pride of Boys & Girls in their heart; someone who gave their all to graduate, as opposed to me, who pretty much hustled his way through high school. However, I feel my story should at least be heard.

I was not an honor roll student. I was not affiliated with Sophisticated Gents or the debate team. I was not a star athlete, or a member of any social clubs. I didn’t work on the senior year book, or attend any of the senior functions like the prom or senior trip. At graduation, my name wasn’t called for any awards or scholarships. As a matter a fact, the only award I ever received in school was for perfect attendance in the 10th grade. I was cool with my peers, but wasn’t voted most popular or most likely to succeed. On the flip side, I was not involved in drugs, gangs, or any illegal activity. To sum it up, I was regular.

My days (when I actually chose to show up to school) were usually the same routine: arrive late, then sneak into the building (or somehow talk my way out of detention); attend (most of) my classes; tell a few funnies (occasionally get kicked out of class for that); and when that last period bell rang (8th or 9th, depending on your schedule), I was gone! There was no need to deal with The High (school) until the next morning where I would do it all over again.

With my intentional disconnection, how could Mr. Mickens (the principal) know who I was? I was never sent to the principal’s office (just the dean’s office). I also made made a very conscious effort to have limited interaction with the school outside of the staff and students that I had to deal with. Yet, he knew my story. There were two specific incidents that made me realize this. The first was one day when I was being my usual “small” self, Mr. Mickens was walking through the halls with a reporter from the NY Times. I had heard he was there to interview some students, but hadn’t thought twice about it.  Then I see Mr. Mickens escorting an unfamiliar face down the hall.  So I think to myself, “straighten your tie, smile, wave and keep it moving”.  So I tried, but the last part of my plan was intercepted with Mr. Mickens pointing his finger and saying, “You, come with me!”  So much for being small.  He introduced me to the journalist, and suggested that he interview me for his story; me, the regular dude.  I told him my method of staying off of the streets and shared my dreams of becoming a media mogul, which included a talk show that would be a combination of Oprah Winfrey and Arsenio Hall.  Although my story was published (view article here)*, I still remained regular.

The second incident happened at graduation.  My senior year was extremely challenging, or at least I mad it that way, by fooling around and not taking school seriously.  So in the end, I found myself busting my butt to ensure a seat at graduation.  Not sure if my motivation was being able to show off the two piece, off-white suit that I was getting made, or the fear of my mother ripping me a “new one”.  But whatever it was, I made it!  As my name was called, and I approached the stage to give my thanks-for-the-fake-temporary-diploma handshake, I once again thought “straighten up (no tie this time), smile, wave and keep it moving”.  Mr. Mickens, however, grabbed my hand, pulled me close, and whispered “You know you made it by the skin of your teeth”.  WHAT???  How did he know???  I was just regular!!!  He was not supposed to know who I was, but he did.  What I learned in both cases is that even when you think no one is watching, they are.  When you think no one cares, they do.

Now, as I live my life, slowly becoming a true media mogul, the most fulfilling part is the ability to give back.  I volunteer with several youth organizations, and can often be found giving motivational speeches.  I even visit Boys & Girls annually to participate in career day.  I use my life’s story to enlighten and encourage others to follow their dreams; often giving special attention to the regular ones.

*Look for Spry in the 14th paragraph (bottom of page 1), listed as Generaldo Scott.