February 12, 2025

Imagine if you were given the opportunity to pursue your dream but the catch is that you have to leave everybody and everything behind. I can’t even explain how difficult of a decision this is for somebody like me. Recently, I received letters from The University of Louisville and The University of Kentucky offering me scholarships to attend. I am very thankful and blessed to be given these offers but at the same time, I don’t know what to do. 

If I do go this route, it could be an important opportunity for me to pursue my dream…but I would also be leaving my family and friends behind. I’ve always been a huge family guy and I wouldn’t even be here today if it wasn’t for my family. I worry about going to another state on my own. I think to myself: “What if this doesn’t work out? What if my family spent their time and effort for my future just for me to find out that my whole dream has turned into a cloud of dust?” What if something happens to one of my family members and I can’t do anything about it because I’m so many miles away (and I can’t focus on multiple things at once)? 

Many people have lifelong friends, but in the end, it’s not about the length of the friendship, it’s about the health of the friendship. I truly believe that the people you surround yourself with are the people who will change your life—for better or for worse. 

I’ve had friends who changed my life for the better and I don’t know what I’d do without them. When I told my friends about these letters the first thing they said (besides congratulations) was that I needed to take this opportunity and put it to good use—that I’ve put way too much time and effort into a dream that I’ve had ever since I could think. 

Honestly, I am undecided as to whether or not I will stay close to home, or leave and take on a new adventure. But no matter where I go, everything happens for a reason, so here’s hoping that my decision takes me down the right path.