A Kid and a Goal
by John Metchie III
Dear 14-year-old Metchie,
You did it. You made it to the college of your choice. You can’t even imagine the competitive environment here at Bama. The locker room overflows with clout, talent, and a shared eagerness to be the best. When you get here, it doesn’t matter who you are: you gotta show them.
But right now, that is not your reality. The reality is that you are moving away from a home that you will rarely get to see and are living by yourself. This may not seem like the dream, but everyone’s gotta start somewhere. And there, in Maryland, is where that somewhere and something begins.
Photo by Vasha Hunt
You are going to face some challenges, without a doubt. There will be people predicting a future for yourself that is far below what you know you are actually capable of achieving. Do not let that get in the way — find it humorous how clueless they are of the success that awaits you.
Look, you have never been one to doubt yourself. It is one of the qualities that has kept me strong through this journey. Adversity, learning how to be independent, and negative feedback are all inevitable, but stay the course. If there is one thing I could tell you: “determination determines destination.” Believe that. It is not just a simple saying, it is a motto that you need to manifest. There may be moments when the path to your destination is unclear, but be determined to achieve what you set your mind to. Your destination will be there when you reach it.
Determination determines destination.
I know opportunities are not knocking at your door, but this is where you gotta go and find the opportunities yourself. Do your research. Get yourself into that camp for some exposure. I know there is so much you want, but you do not know how to do it. Trust me, keep going and you will end up in the right places.
Appreciate your mom, family, brothers, your best friend, and his parents too. They got your back during this and always will.
Remember: determination determines destination. I am not writing to you from the destination you have been waiting to be at. Yeah, Bama is a great place, but it is only a stop on the way to something even greater. I mean who knows where the final destination will be. All I know is, I am on the way to getting there.
We are on the way to getting there.
Sincerely,
Metchie
