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“Roots of Strength: The Humble Beginnings of a Changed Life”

A Rough Start

Growing up, I never learned to read. Our house was crowded, and even my grandmother couldn’t read. School was a nightmare. I was so lost that I turned into the class clown, trying to distract everyone—and myself—from how much I was struggling. By the time I was thirteen, I’d already found trouble. I got caught roaming the streets with a stolen car, trying to look tough. That’s when they sent me to a juvenile detention center. It was there that I met Ms. Lakewood, the computer teacher. She was a sturdy Italian lady, maybe 5 feet tall, but she had a larger-than-life presence, like a matriarch from a classic movie. You know, the kind of figure who walks in, and everyone falls silent. But she had a warm side, too. Her classroom walls were covered with photos of her favorite students, who she called her “kids.” Even famous names like Tyson made her wall.

The Turning Point

One day, Ms. Lakewood organized a computer contest, with a $50 prize for the winner. I remember staring at the screen, feeling so frustrated that I started tearing up because I couldn’t even read what was on it. My classmates laughed at me, but Ms. Lakewood wasn’t having it. She marched over, took one look at my face, and said, “Pull it together. I don’t ever want to see you like this again. Tomorrow, be ready.” She wasn’t just tough—she was ready to help. That night marked the start of a journey I never saw coming. Every evening, she’d work with me for an hour and a half. She started me off with a children’s book, something simple, and pushed me to read out loud, over and over, until I could handle books on my grade level.

A New Beginning

Ms. Lakewood passed away when I was eighteen, while I was still trying to put my life back together. I only found out through some guys who’d known her too; they heard me talking about her one day and said, “Oh, she passed, man. But I’m pretty sure she had your picture on her wall.” Hearing that hit me hard. Ms. Lakewood had believed in me and pushed me to become something more. Her impact was like a spark, setting off a fire that’s still lighting my way.

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