On
Sunday, June 15, 2003, I graduated from Central State University (CSU). My
matriculation on the CSU Campus allowed me to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Communications Print Journalism. As my graduation date got closer, I started
developing “Big Dreams.” At the time, I just knew that a good job was awaiting
me. It would not be too long before reality soon hit me directly in the face.
That reality started with the 2003 CSU Commencement Day Speaker. Former Black
Entertainment Television (BET) Personality Mr. Ed Gordon spoke to all in
attendance, especially the graduating class. On that very day, Mr. Gordon went
on to make so many informative & interesting points. He tried his very best
to instill so much pivotal information into the mindsets of the entire
graduating class. Mr. Gordon felt that the words he spoke to us would be
extremely beneficial to every single one of us over the course of the rest of
our lives. As we were preparing to enter the “Real World” which is the societal
workforce, Mr. Gordon wanted to lead us in a positive direction. He did a
great job of garnering the attention spans & mindsets of every member in
the graduating class. However, there was one graduating student who did not
want to believe one very important statement which Mr. Gordon heavily &
loudly spoke directly to us. The student, of who I speak, was yours truly
(Darryl L. McGee)! The vital statement, which Mr. Gordon spoke, was simply
something along the lines of the following. I do not remember the exact words
he used, but I will do my best to paraphrase his statement. Mr. Gordon wanted us to know that all of us
were not going to be going directly into a good job. In order for some of us to
get to a position of comfort, peace, and positivity, we would have to endure
intense struggles. To this very day, from time to time, I still ponder over
that unique notion. I truly realize how much it has always pertained to my
post-2003 collegiate life.
At
the time of Mr. Gordon initially speaking his famous, life-affecting,
life-altering words, I just wish that I had paid more attention to what he was
telling me. To be completely honest, I just wish that I really cared. My head
was way “too big” for me to even care and/or pay attention. As I walked across
the McPherson Memorial stage, I was handed my college diploma from the CSU
President. My mindset was clouded & confused. I was very immature, and my
mindset perfectly reflected my immaturity. Mr. Gordon and no one else could
tell me anything which I did not want to hear. Mr. Gordon told me what I needed
to hear. However, it was not what I wanted to hear. Therefore, I paid no
attention to that great man who poured out his soul to the entire graduating
class. I just harbored the extremely incorrect mindset. I was absolutely sure
that instant success was just around the corner for me. I was dead-set on a
career in the Journalism Field. My entire focus was on a job with a newspaper.
I was under the impression that a local, newspaper publication would quickly
hire me. I did not realize that I would have to undergo a long, difficult
process. That process would lead me to where I wanted to be.
As
time went on, one fact would become quite evident for me. What I initially had
in my mindset was not going to happen. I did not immediately obtain a job in
the field of journalism. After applying to numerous newspaper publications in
the local, Xenia area, not one single newspaper would hire me. In April of
2007, I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Beginning in April
of 2007, I began working for a local-area, newspaper publication. That obtained
position was my first break. It was an opportunity that finally got my foot
into the door of the Communications/Journalism Career Field. I worked as the
Wilberforce Community Correspondent. Also, during the fall sports season, I
worked as a High School Football Columnist. Both of my positions enabled me to
spend so much time in the communities of Wilberforce, Xenia, Cedarville,
Jamestown, etc. I met so many great people, and I learned so much about the
various communities in Greene County, Ohio. I thoroughly enjoyed my positions,
especially the High School Football Columnist position. I am a huge high school
football fan. Therefore, it was great to be able to get involved with the sport
from a direct perspective. I was able to cover games and interact with
football teams & coaches, cheerleaders & coaches, athletic directors,
marching bands & directors, etc. I will never forget all of which I
thoroughly learned. Also, the hospitality extended to me was enormous.
Everywhere I went, I was graciously accepted. I will never forget that type of
caring & generous nature.
Like
the old, often-used, famous phrase goes, “Every good thing must eventually come
to an end.” After a time period of fewer than two years, my newspaper employment
was unjustly terminated. During the course of my newspaper employment
(September of 2007), I became a Substitute Teacher for Xenia Community Schools
(XCS). I will admit something. At first, when I obtained the position, I was
only looking for some type of extra employment. I was looking for a paycheck.
However, my mindset was quickly altered. After getting into various classrooms,
I started to realize something. While I knew that I was not a regular teacher
and was only a substitute, I felt like I could make a difference in the lives
of young students. I was under the impression that I could help mold the minds
of students. I would be able to do that in a different direction than that of
the regular classroom teachers. Much like regular classroom teachers, I had my
good and bad days. There were always ways in which I could improve. To this
very day, that remains the case. After a very glorious and enjoyable six-year
career, I am still a substitute teacher.
Toward
the end of 2009, I began to entertain the idea of becoming a “Real Teacher.” In
the beginning of 2010, I made the final decision to go back to college.
However, I harbored a couple of serious concerns. I did not know what college
to go to. Also, at my age (33 at the time), I did not know if I would be
successful or not. Due to various reasons, I did not know if I should return to
CSU or go elsewhere. With the help of a retired XCS Custodian, I made the
ultimate decision to return back to CSU. I will never forget the day when that
decision was made. At the time, although he was retired, this particular
custodian was still a part-time worker for XCS. On one particular day in the
Spring of 2010, I was substituting at Shawnee Elementary School. The day had
ended, and I happened to be in the hallway. I stopped and talked with the
custodian. I had already known him for quite a long time. Years earlier, I had
met him and his family while I was working at the Xenia Big Lots Store Location.
Well, I expressed to him the dilemma which I was wrestling with. After that,
the words coming out of his mouth left me with only one choice. That choice was
to return back to CSU. No other collegiate institution was longer an option.
This man said some words which truly meant a whole lot to me. For the rest of
my life, I will never forget what he said. I truly appreciate everything which
he expressed to me. Due to the fact that he is now deceased, I cannot tell him
how much his words will always mean to me and how they have affected my life
since 2010. This very educated and highly intelligent man expressed to me that
I should not allow anyone to persuade me to go to another collegiate
institution other than CSU. He went on to explain to me that if he had the
opportunity to go to college, he would have no problem whatsoever with
attending CSU. After my conversation ended with him and I was walking to my
vehicle, my decision was now confirmed 100%! After having such a powerful conversation,
there was no way that I could attend another college or university.
In
Mid-August of 2010, for the second time in my life, I officially became a CSU
Student. For the longest, I had always dreamed about the prospect of becoming a
High School/Middle School English Teacher. So, in order to obtain my Teacher
Licensure, I started my path of attending classes. I still was quite unsure
about how well I would perform. However, I remained determined. In the back of
my mind, I just knew that I did not want to fail. I was very scared at the
thought of failure. Of course, in my mindset, failure was not an option. When I
graduated from CSU back in 2003, my final overall Grade Point Average (GPA) was
3.01. With my return, I felt like I wanted to at least maintain that type of a
GPA. Of course, I wanted to do better than that. I was just unsure if I was
capable of exceeding that GPA or not. My hopes, dreams, and prayers were all
quickly answered, and my fears were all calm down. I ended the Fall 2010
Semester with a 3.75 GPA. In fact, my success continued all the way up until
the Spring 2013 Semester. After every single semester, I was appointed to the
Dean’s List. Also, I even had a semester where I earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Overall, I proved one fact to myself. At an older age, I was able to be
successful in college. Age does not matter. If one is willing to put in the
long & tough effort it takes to be a college student, then he or she can be
successful. That person’s age does not matter. My return to CSU abruptly ended
in the Spring of 2013. Due to health concerns, I had to withdraw from CSU. I
had to do an emergency, over-the-phone withdraw from my hospital room at
Xenia’s Greene Memorial Hospital (GMH). Shortly after being released from GMH,
I came to one, unique conclusion. I would no longer pursue my dream of becoming
a teacher. Also, I would no longer be returning to college period. Those
difficult decisions came about after much thought & deliberation. In the
end, I realized that they were made for my best interests.
Fast
forward to July of 2013. I never thought that a two hour and fifteen-minute
meeting would lead me back to my home. That home is Central State University
(CSU). As sad as it might seem, I honestly thought that my direct contact with
CSU was finally over. Well, Xenia’s Tim Horton’s location was the setting where
all of the plans were put in motion. On a Saturday evening in late July, I had
an important meeting with the Managing Editor & Owner of Xenia’s Word On The Street Mr. Joshua
Long. I had previously contacted Mr. Long. I was inquiring about obtaining a
position with Xenia’s Word. I did not
know where my initial e-mail would lead me. To be perfectly honest, I was very
unsure about even being chosen by Mr. Long to join his on-line newspaper’s
staff. Of course, it was all worth a shot. If it worked, I would be able to
resume the career which I have wanted to consistently maintain for so long. If
it did not work, then I could just keep on trying until something positive
would hopefully present itself. Well, after sitting through a very positive and
thorough meeting with Mr. Long, he presented me with an offer. It was an offer which
I could not refuse. I was offered the position of being the first-ever Xenia’s Word Sports Columnist. I was immediately
elated with the offer. Without any second-guessing, I instantly accepted the
newly created position. I was so eager to get straight to work. However, I
fully understood that some pre-work needed to take place before I could
officially start my position.
One
of the unique perks of being named Xenia’s
Word’s new Sports Columnist is that I am able to go back home to CSU.
Instead of being a student again, I am now working with CSU in a journalism capacity.
I get to place my focus upon my alma mater’s various sports programs. I am
already a huge sports fan. Therefore, it is extra special to work with an
institution which I am so familiar with. I truly love and care about CSU.
Nobody personifies the true meaning of being a Centralian like me! In every
single way possible, I live and breathe CSU. Until my very dying day, my total
support for CSU will never come to an end. I will always do my best to
represent my collegiate institution in a positive light. In my current role of
being a sports journalist, I am not only representing myself, but I am also
representing my alma mater. The quality of work I do reflects back on both CSU
and me. Depending on my quality of work, that reflection can be either good or
bad. I refuse to let it go the “bad route!” In order to showcase CSU’s Athletic
Department in the way which it should be profiled, I will work tirelessly both
day & night. That is more than what I can say for another local newspaper.
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