My sophomore year in high school accomplished something that turned my life around. I grew up in an elite town where most of the kids were children of college professions, doctors, lawyers, and business people. I lived in the projects. I went out for basketball my sophomore year that was heavy laden with seniors. There were 7 seniors on the team and 5 starters were back from the year before. I just wanted to make the junior varsity team. The first game of the season I started with 4 other seniors. To say the least, I was not their favorite guy. Long story short, made All Conference as a sophomore. That was really needed at this stage in my life. I cried like a baby. Got lots of awards, All State, 4 year fully paid scholarship to a major university, but nothing meant as much as that award my sophomore year. At the time, had alcoholic father and a mother that I hardly ever saw, and this award gave me a sense of accomplishment and good self esteem. At that stage of my life, could have gone down the wrong road, but this award was just unreal for a 15 year old boy.