My JROTC Instructor

The fifth person who nurtured and cared for me as well as contributed to my success in life was my High School JROTC instructor, (CSM Johnnie Smith Jr.). He saw potential in me that I did not see or know that I had. He helped to build my self confidence Colonel Sergeant Major Smith made me feel competent and skilled at anything I tried to accomplish. He encouraged me to learn from both my failures and my successes.He was the individual who helped me discover what I was good at doing. He was also that individual who stressed the importance of furthering my education beyond High School. He pushed me to never give up when I thought I was on my last leg. He was a firm believer in the quote " failure is not an option".

My Fifth Grade Teacher

My fifth grade teacher was and still is a very special person who cared for me also.She was one who listened to her students and never judged you based on your looks, or style of clothing. She always seem to understand the concerns of her students. Because of this, I became really attached to her and started spending time with her away from the school setting. Our relationship lives on. When I have personal problems and dont feel comfortable talking to others, she is someone that I can call. I can also say that she feels the same about me, as far as being able to call and talk to me about any issues she has to deal with.

My First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Catherine Land, my first teacher had a very special impact on my life as well. She was one who treated all of her students fair. She truly had a genuine care and concern for all children's welfare and learning needs. She had a warm and thoughful personality, and she was sensitive to all of her childrens hopes and dreams. Mrs Land had a willingness of going the extra mile for any student, even those with behavioral problems. This was a teacher that I stayed in contact with throughout my school years. After she lost her husband she didnt feel comfortable living alone so I would leave college on the weekends to go and stay with her as a gesture for all the kindness she had shown to me. I became pregnant in 2005 and was due to have my child April 2006. This was something I tried to hide from her even though I was 29 years old because I was unmarried. She had always told me that she has never judged me because of some of the bad decisions I had made in my life but, I was still ashamed to be in her presence while I was pregnant. This is something that i truly regret because 2 months before I was due to give birth, Mrs. Land died. (Feb. 16, 2006). Rest in peace Mrs. Catherine Land!!!

My Grandfather

My GrandFather

My grandfather was another person who nurtured and cared for me. I lost my father @ the age of 11. Therefore my grandfather became more involved in my life to encourage and influence me in making positive decisions. I could talk to my grandfather about things I could'nt talk about with my Mom. My grandfather always told me to be obiedient to my mother even when I disagreed with her actions. He lived by the Ten Commandments and always stressed commandment 5 " Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you". I lost one of the people who made a positive difference in my life, and also made me the person that I am on Wednesday, Augst 20, 2003. A day that I will never forget. RIP Jessie King!!!!

My Mother

I have to say that my Mother was a person who nurtured and cared for me. I did not realize this until I graduated from High School. Until then, I thought I had the meaneast mother in the world, because of how strict she was in rearing me. I believe that she truly felt that if she was'nt strict that I would become get hurt or in trouble. My mother did teah me to respect myself, respect others, and she also taught me right from wrong. However, I dont agree with all of her actions or methods in handling certain situations. However, they hey made me a better parent to my four year old daughter. Because those things were too painful, I wont expound on them. The things that she did that I didnt agree with, I promised not to do as a parent. I think a lot of her frustrations stemmed from the fact that she was a single mom, so she tried to do everything she thought was right to create a successful person. I was my mom's youngest and until recently the only one to graduate from college. Therefore, in some ways her strict parenting skills contributed to my success.