Gabbreil Harris-David '16 Recruiting Profile

Why I want to attend your Institute of Higher Learning

My name is Gabbreil Harris David. My sister, one brother and I are being raised by our maternal grandmother, my youngest brother lives in New York with his father. I have lived with my grandmother since the age of 15 months. In 2010, my grandmothers husband, my father figure, passed away suddenly. It has not always been easy but we have never gone hungry and we have always had clothes on our backs. To keep us together, my grandmother enrolled us in a Track and Field Private Club Program where she volunteers and works as the club administrator, a private Theatre/Acting Club, & started a Children’s Choir where we received voice lessons. I excelled in all of these avenues despite my anger about my living conditions and arrangements. In track, I became a Thrower; in theater, I often got many of the starring roles in productions; and the voice lessons lead to me getting the highest honor my high school could bestow, the position of singing the National Anthem in all of the Sporting events as well as singing it for the 2015 NJ State Football Championships held at Rowan University. There are “3” reasons, no, there are actually“4” reasons I want to attend College.

First, let me say that I am a much better student then my grades have projected. I don’t say this lightly or without some serious thought, being what I call a “throw away child“, is hard. I have friends who have both of their parents and some who live with at least one parent. In my case, I don’t live with either of them. I now realize that my alcoholic mother just doesn’t know how to be a parent, none of her four children live with her. As for my father, we all have different dads, he is too busy denying my existence. I have spend the last 5-years of my life in anger mode only to discover that my life has not stood still. I have missed out on a lot. I don’t want to miss out on college in the same way that I have missed out on middle school and high school years.

Secondly, I do have something to offer to a potential college. I am an excellent athlete, actress, and singer. As an athlete I am the first one to rally my team to do better. I encourage each and every member. In high school I work with the new throwers to teach them the techniques of throwing, for example the Spin and Glide. Within the private track club program which starts in March, I am a Jr. Field Coach in Training; after I practice at my high school, I go out to work with the younger athletes who are just learning to throw. Coach Larry and Coach Tene’ have put me in a leadership role because I can be trusted. Four of the athletes that I have personally trained in the last 2-years have medal at the AAU National Junior Olympic Games. As an actress, I have helped other people run/learn their lines, helped construct sets and design wardrobe. As a singer, I help carry my section and as a soloist, I sing the national Anthem, encouraging my team to fight and win.

Third, unlike my parents I want to start a new tradition, I want to finish my life with a strong since of PURPOSE. My little sister and my two little brothers need to see that if I can go forward with my life despite the obstacles of our generation, “They Can Do It Also!”. My brother who is next to my age, acts just like I used to act. No matter how I try to tell him that he will regret not doing his best, he doesn’t listen. But, I have noticed that since I’ve started this college search and have been applying to different schools, he seems to be paying attention.

Fourth, my grandmother has instilled in me the drive to go on with my life and the desire to leave those foolish days behind. Her words ring true: “I Can Do All Things, I Am Fearfully And Wonderfully Made, If You Teach A Man To Fish He Will Eat All Of His Days!”. She wants ALL of her grandchildren to not just attend school but to be college graduates and to encourage others to do the same. I know that I want this opportunity to learn and give back to others.

It’s been a ruff road but I am ready to take the next step in my life. Adulthood is not just around the corner but I am standing at the door. I am approaching college with a fierce determination, in the same way as I approach the glide: deep breath, a feeling of confidence, I’m thinking power, head-up, chin up, elbow up, pop, be explosive and release with a snap…..“This degree is bestowed upon Gabbreil Harris-David for Completion of the following“…..I can hear it in the distance, as I smile with joy.

Sincerely,

Gabbreil Harris-David