What motivates you to pursue your academic goals and how do you stay focused? by Marquise

What motivates you to pursue your academic goals and how do you stay focused? by Marquise - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is Marquise Thomas-Gray, I am the third child that my parents have. Here is a little bit of my story to show that when you stay ready you don't have to get ready. What motivates me to pursue my academic goals is I was told I couldn't graduate in the top 10% of my class because I have an IEP. My mom told the school that she didn't want me to be in the special education classes because I have an IEP. My mom didn't want anyone to look at me differently because of my disability. When I was about two weeks old I was hospitalized because I lost oxygen to my brain because of RSV. The doctors told my parents that I would be delayed in some areas learning and they should look for extra help for me.

I was told by some of my peers that because I have an IEP that I was stupid but good at sports because it doesn't take a genius to play sports. So the only thing I would be is a stupid jock. My mom always drilled in me that I am just as smart as my siblings and classmates and maybe even smarter. My mom said that because I have an IEP it only means that I think creatively that makes me unstoppable.

It is hard to stay focus because there are so many distractions out there. My parents make sure that we have structure, there is a time to do our chorus, school work and sports. If our grades are not at a 3.5 or higher we were not allowed to play sports. My parents wanted to make sure that we understood that we are student athletes and not the other way around. I stay focus because I want the best I can bring out of myself. At times it is hard to stay focus and put my school work to the bottom of my to do list. But I find it is easier to stay at the top of a hole instead of climbing up from the bottom. I stay focus so I can better myself.