![]() ![]() I once traveled to Borneo as a volunteer for a conservation organization that’s helping the Bornean sun bear. In high school, I was active with the Black Student Union and also served as a docent for a traveling Anne Frank exhibit. It’s something I’ve discovered through many trips to the Netherlands, where I have explored my Dutch roots, and also at home, diving into my African American heritage. I have always cherished the chance to learn about different cultures and share that knowledge to create greater understanding. My manager at work thought something was wrong. (Now I have an official reason.) When I found out I’d been accepted at UCLA, I started sobbing. GROWING UP IN PASADENA, UCLA and the Rose Bowl were part of my upbringing, and I’ve cheered on the Bruins at endless football games. We were a family now we are a family that goes to college. I scooped up my 10-year-old niece into my arms and ran through the house, alternately whooping for joy and stunned speechless. I saw “Congratulations,” and dropped to my knees. Finally, I took a deep breath and clicked. I was playing softball at home when the phone pinged: “Your admissions decision is ready.” It took me an hour to summon the courage to open it. And about my niece and the role model I wanted to be for her. On the application, I talked about how I’d fallen in love with UCLA while caring for its grounds. Still, it felt like a half-court shot, applying here. They asked me, “Where would you want to eventually transfer?” and I blurted out, “UCLA.” The audacity - who did I think I was? But I studied my butt off, got good grades, became the student I’d never been in high school. But I was inspired, and decided to go to junior college. Maybe it was the beauty of the campus, or the encouragement of a buddy. I needed a steady job, and I got one: I joined the landscaping staff at UCLA. To go from single man to single parent overnight was overwhelming. In 2012, when I was 29, I became the guardian of my niece. I never took academics seriously.īut the idea of college was always there, just below the surface. ![]() IN HIGH SCHOOL, I was your classic underachiever. ![]()
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