My name is Deziree Garrick, even though most of you know me as “Dez.” I am a senior here at East High school, but most of you know this already. I am a Jamaican-American that was born and raised in Rochester, NY. My father immigrated to the United States in the 80’s, and my parents met in the late 90’s. Family is such a big part of my life, I honestly adore my family with my whole-heart. And I ensure that I am representing them well in every aspect of my life. To most of my peers I am considered to be an intelligent student, but I consider myself to be a conscientious student. After high school I am going to major in African American Studies as well as Psychology, and eventually pursue my master degree in Educational Leadership. I have decided on these majors because they really point me in the right direction when it comes to the career that I want to pursue. I want to write educational curricula for urban students, but in order to do that effectively I would like to know more about how African Americans think. I want to know what events historically and presently shape their minds, and cause them to act and respond in the manners that they do. But aside from academics I am also a student-athlete. I played softball for four years at East and just last school year I competed in Indoor Track and Field. I made sectionals for both shot put and weight throw for the very first time.
Just because my academics seem great and my future has an amazing outlook, doesn’t mean that I haven’t struggled or overcome any obstacles. Many people don’t know this but, my father has had stage four bladder cancer for over six years now. At the age of twelve years old, I was tasked with scheduling my father’s appointments, picking up his prescriptions, as well as making sure that he understood everything that was going on around him. This was sometimes very difficult for me because my father cannot read or write well, but he has a spectacular memory. I found myself at a level of maturity that my peers were not at yet when I arrived at East in seventh grade. And being that I had encountered a major reality check a year prior to my arrival at East, I was forced to give my absolute best at all times. The fear of not knowing when my father's last day on Earth would be has ultimately kept me from going astray. On the first day of my ninth grade year, my father was supposed to have surgery to have a cystoscopy done. They prepped him, and put him under the anesthesia. Thankfully the surgeon took another look at his scans because in the exact area that he was scheduled to operate on, the cancer had overtaken the entire area. My father could have easily died that day, but I was given a gracious second chance. Since the beginning of ninth grade I have contemplated whether or not my father will live to see my graduation, or be able to see me off to prom. I even wondered if he’d see me fulfill his wildest dreams. But guess what! I am nine months away from seeing the largest smile on Earth. Favorite Quote: “Sometimes you have to get in the way. You have to make some noise by speaking up and speaking out against injustice & inaction” ~John Lewis
5 Comments
Lynn Girven
9/29/2020 02:19:45 pm
I was ready to post something about what a wonderful young woman you are and what admirable goals you have for your future. This is all still true, however learning about your dad's struggle with cancer makes the earlier statements more sincere. My husband has been cancer free for 11 years, and it was stage 4.
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Tim Wilson
9/30/2020 03:21:00 am
The curriculum world needs your voice. Nicely written Deziree
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Brett Crandall
9/30/2020 05:17:15 am
Thank you for sharing about your triumphs, tribulations, and dreams for the future. May you continue to thrive in all that you pursue.
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Jennifer Rees
10/1/2020 05:35:26 pm
Thank you for sharing, Deziree. I have to agree with Mr. Wilson that you clearly would be an asset and have such incredible potential for the curriculum writer role and educational leadership.
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Brady Fergusson
10/9/2020 10:46:00 am
Thank you for sharing your story, Deziree. You have set amazing goals that you will achieve! I look forward to reading more of your articles this year.
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