My Message
When I was in sixth grade, I asked my father “Dad, how do I create a website”? He said, “Not difficult at all, anyone can create one, the most difficult part is content”. After many sit-down discussions with my parents, I soon realized what the word content meant. My dad said “And I don’t mean slapping lipstick on a pig, real and credible content is backed up by evidence of actions followed up by long-term commitments.
I soon realized that having real and credible content would require years of hard work and doing things that I questioned wanting to do. The sacrifice would be beyond what most sixth graders would want to sign up for, I just wanted to go play basketball with my friends.
These efforts included, getting straight A’s in school, performing at a high level in sports by showing toughness and grit, giving back to my community by not only showing up to community events but leading them, being well rounded in the area of the arts such as an instrument like piano and guitar and actually learning how to earn money through hard work, which meant getting a job.
Well, the challenge soon began of collecting what my father called “THE EVIDENCE”, which would provide me with content for my website. He told me “Luke, you can’t fake having the evidence in your life as people slowly reveal who they really are if your veneer is thin”. I had no idea what he was talking about until one day he taped a large note to my bathroom mirror written in black marker that read…
“ANY PERSON CAN DESCRIBE WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE BUT EVIDENCE OF ACTIONS PROVIDES THE TRUTH OF WHO WE REALLY ARE”.
author – My Dad
I hope to be able to share this evidence with you today. Many people that know me understand I am not a bragger, and almost never talk about myself. I get uncomfortable when the attention is on me, so I did have a difficult time getting comfortable writing about myself. My father told me that as I collect evidence of my life, that I needed to add together each small piece to make a masterpiece. This masterpiece will become my life of passion authored by me with the evidence to back up who I say I am.
Do The Things You Don’t Want To Do, Push Yourself To Do the Uncomfortable
– My Dad
Athletics
At the young age of 6, I began competing in both team and individual sports. From competitive travel basketball to winning the CT state Title in 8th-grade cross country and now competing at a much higher level – Salisbury School Varsity Crew Team, JV Basketball and Varsity Cross Country. Athletics has taught me how to compete at the highest level, and work effectively as a team as well as individually. As the coxswain for the Varsity Salisbury Crew team, I have to not only provide leadership but the team relies on me to make critical and decisive decisions. A sport such as cross country requires me to dig deep and push myself beyond my comfort zone fighting all alone without the support of a structured team. Basketball I play on the high school JV team as the 6th man in a very competitive field of athletes. Athletics has taught me to be tough mentally, and physically but most of all how to go out there and win while supporting my team.
Education
I have posted my grades from Middle School – 6th, 7th and 8th grades. I have continued presenting my academic track record at my current high school, Salisbury All Boys Boarding School.
In 6th grade I had a combination of A’s and B’s and soon realized that B’s would not suffice. In 7th and 8th grade I began my academic journey of straight A’s. I continued my straight A’s at Salisbury School where I am a straight A student and have achieved Highest Honors.
I always challenge myself in and outside of school. My parents tell me I need to balance each day not only getting good grades but being well-rounded in a variety of things (Sports, an Instrument, Healthy Eating, Community Service and Working to Earn Money). I believe I have been forming these good habits and being at Salisbury School has reinforced all these important qualities.
Work Ethic & Personal Growth
My dedication extends beyond school and sports. I began working at the age of 12 part-time at my dad’s company Bearicuda Bins and then added a second job at Petraroia Deli in Litchfield. When I return home from boarding school during breaks I usually work at one of these two companies. At the deli my responsibilities include dishwashing, cleaning tables, preparing meals and cashing out customers. This experience has instilled in me a strong work ethic and an appreciation for teamwork and responsibility. I also work at a company called Bearicuda Inc where I perform the duties of customer service, solving customer issues, brokering freight rates, collecting money, and working on social media campaigns.
Community Engagement
Outside of school, athletics, work and any extracurricular activities I am fully engaged in community service work. I have been doing this since I was 10 years of age. My parents would always bring me to church activities where I would assist in serving meals to the homeless at the Torrington Soup Kitchen. In addition, I helped found what is called the Little Possums which is a spin off of the famous Possum Queen Foundation a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to families facing medical bills. One year myself and my sisters raised $7,000. I also donate my time to The Festival of Trees.
My Music
Over the past years, I have played the guitar and the piano. My parents bought a piano so I loved the look of this big shiny instrument so I asked if I could learn how to play. I have been playing for 3 years now but admit ever since leaving my home and going to boarding school I have not been able to play as much as I would like but music and the arts are something that I love and appreciate.
Overcoming Challenges
I am in the 2 percentiles in what doctors describe as “The Clinical Growth Chart”. Percentiles are measurements that show where a kid like myself is compared with other kids as they grow. Comparing is the world we live in today but as a kid, these comparisons are not only difficult but a challenge that I had to overcome. Being small is not terrible but when you are a boy and you’re in the 2% range, many things become a challenge to someone like me.
Inspiration from my Dad
My Dad always told me; Luke, you have to have real evidence of who you claim to be in your life or it all just becomes a bunch of descriptive and empty words. He always told me that people slowly reveal who they are if you’re patient and watch closely. You need to see if their words match up to their actions. My dad always challenged me to go out there and put my words into action, as he likes to say, “Luke, show me the evidence”, so here it is….