Keys-Born, Gator-Made: The Places That Built Me
Introduction: You Carry Places With You Some people grow up in one place their whole life. One house, one school, one hometown. That wasn’t me. I moved a lot as a kid. Not across the world—but enough to always feel like I was starting over. From the quiet streets of Cave City, Kentucky, to the […]
The Nonprofit Next Door: Building Impact Without a Big Budget
Starting with Nothing But Purpose When I launched GALAXI—Gainesville Area Lacrosse Inc.—I didn’t have a grant writer, a donor list, or a shiny website. I had a plastic tote full of used lacrosse gear, a passion for the sport, and a desire to give kids in my community a shot they might not otherwise have. […]
Grit Over Glamour: How Growing Up Without Means Shaped a Lifelong Drive to Give Back
Not Much, But Enough I didn’t grow up with much. Money was tight. I missed out on some school trips and things my classmates got to do. But I never saw myself as “poor”—because I was rich in other ways. I had a roof over my head. I had hobbies I loved—fishing, basketball, comics, and […]
Scouting the Edge: What It Means to Be One of the Youngest in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
A Kid in Uniform When I joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, I was just a kid—one of the youngest ever to pass the qualification tests in the Florida Keys. Most of the other members were seasoned boaters, retirees, or former military folks. I stood out like a sore thumb. But from the moment I […]