Anthony Casey. Or more correctly, should I say future Dr. Anthony Casey. But, wait, I want to make sure to not get ahead of myself. Because this young adult has already done so much that I want you to celebrate that first.
That’s right, an officer in student government, volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, Cross Country, Track and Field, lead rolls in musicals, FFA, French club… yes, I could go on. Because if it’s out there to be done, Anthony Casey is doing it.
But see, this level of effort and activity doesn’t usually follow with a young adult that found himself homeless for years – attempting to protect himself from all the things that a parent high on drugs brings to a child’s life. Or being finally removed from the situation as a pre-teen to only be bounced from family member to family member and ultimately kicked out at 18.
In fact, our award winner – our future Dr. Casey – is now not only being involved in every club and activity I listed before, but he’s living with an administrator from his church and working on the farm for his room and board. Oh, and he doesn’t stop there.
He’s taking AP classes. He’s in JROTC. And as he’ll tell you, he’s just returned from the National DECA competition in California.
But before I introduce Dr. Casey, I want to share with you my favorite part of his application. In describing his life, Anthony writes:
“I was given many chances to fall through the cracks, but I was fearfully and wonderfully made, and I will never give up, and never will I lose my hope. I may be the product of something broken and dark, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be a diamond.”
You are so right, Dr. Casey. You are so right.
