My most memorable experience with TrinityPrep was Graduation 2017. Doug invited Laurie and me to get a sense of TrinityPrep. I will have to say both Laurie and I were so impressed with the deep connection between the teachers and graduates. We felt a real sense that TrinityPrep was genuinely doing good by helping the students succeed. We were hooked and happily joined the TrinityPrep team.
I grew up on the tiny island, Saipan, in the 1960's and 1970's. My father was Chief Engineer on a ship, and our family moved several times between the islands. He is an American, and my mother is a Chamorro native with Japanese heritage. Our family of eight kids grew up speaking English at home and Chamorro everywhere else. Our schools were typical of what one would see in a third world country.
I was an odd kid who loved to read even to the point of reading almost every one of the Encyclopedia Brittanica books we had at home. The nuns in my Catholic school decided to have me jump a grade in my early years, and I went from being one of the smartest kids in my class to the smallest kid in the class. My classmates were all two years older than me and at least a head taller. Later in high school, I moved between islands and struggled to do well. Other kids were getting scholarships to the United States, and I was getting and I was getting nowhere.
It was clear to me that I was not mature enough emotionally and academically for college. Neither of my parents graduated from High School, so they were in no position to help. I joined the Army and learned the value of teamwork, hard work, and discipline. I was stationed in Oklahoma, Korea, and finally in Ft. Bragg, NC. I attended many small colleges and focused on building my basic skills in Math and English. The Army was very supportive, and because of a shoulder injury requiring surgery my last year of duty, my commander allowed me to attend Fayetteville State University on weekends and later Methodist University full-time.
The professors at FSU and Methodist University(Methodist College at the time) were so helpful and encouraging. They remind me of the excellent teachers we have at TrinityPrep, and encouraged me to pursue my passions. I transferred to NC State University and graduated two years later with a BA in Chemistry and a minor in Economics. In addition, I was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Army and completed my Officer Basic Course. I spent four years on active duty as an enlisted man and after college 12 years in the North Carolina National Guard as an officer.
Life in the corporate world was an exciting combination of challenging positions and lifelong learning. I worked for the same company for 25 years going from engineer to manager to CEO and was fortunate to attend Northwestern University's business school fifteen years after starting my career. After retiring from business, I started a doctoral program in Adult and Community College Education at NCSU.
Today my pride and joy are Laurie, Julianna, Reagan, and Tyler along with three dogs and three cats. We enjoy doing physical activities outdoors, reading, and getting to know and helping TrinityPrep.
Sometimes I am asked what has worked for me in life and my career? It comes down to be positive, work hard, be fair, ask for help, learn from life, dream, and have a plan. A friend says it very nicely...."It's not where you start but where you end up that counts."
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