My+Life+Creatively

=My Life... Marcus T. Smith=

The Beginning:
As I previously mentioned, my mother is Tanya Smith. She is the daughter of Mary and Charlie Gayden. She is also a first generation college student. She attended Western Illinois University for her undergraduate degree. She pledged and crossed Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority INC. Zeta Iota Chapter in 1979. My father is Randy Smith. He is the son of Inez and DW Smith. He is also a first generation college student. He attended Huston-Tillotson College for his undergraduate degree. He pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity INC. Theta Chapter however he dropped because the process interfered with his athletic requirements to keep his scholarship.

Their union led to the creation of my younger sister Monea and myself. Also it brought together a family of seven children. However, their marriage was not perfect. During middle school leading into high school, my parents’ separated because of adultery and domestic violence. Sadly my father beat my mother, which led to their divorce.

I loved both my parents, but I have a different relationship with them. My mother is the rock of my family. She has helped me financially, emotionally, and spiritually. My relationship with my father is a different story. He was a strict, critical, and sometime selfish man. He had trouble expressing love and affection. He thought he could treat all his sons equally and gain all of our respect accordingly. Yet, I was the son who was different than my brothers. I was quiet, observant, and sensitive. My father had difficulty relating to me and thus our relationship never matured. He and I went through violent turning points. But through the good and the bad I can say, he never walked out of my life, never intentionally abused me, and was my chauffeur when my mother was too busy to pick me up from debate tournament, track practice, or my job at Coldstone Creamery. Overall I can say he is a good man.

media type="youtube" key="JWGXQRIJfAs" height="134" width="167" align="left" This song explains my current mood to express my feeling towards my parents!

The Middle:
I went to Dr. Martin Luther King Junior College Preparatory High School. High school became my institution for growth. During this time I lived in the city with my grandmother. To become more of an outgoing individual I joined every possible organization that caught my interest: Just a short list of my interest and involvement. High school forced me to better manage my time and is the reason I know I can handle over exerting myself. media type="youtube" key="zCaEgG9gn_k" height="132" width="165" media type="youtube" key="alNGZ4MGeG4" height="132" width="165" Ultimately, I made some very close friends and we continue to hang out during our vacations. We call ourselves the Gramy Family (or gRaMy FaMiLy as we spell it)!
 * Band (marching to jazz)
 * Debate
 * Student Government
 * Track and Field
 * National Honors Society
 * Peer Jury
 * Science Club
 * Math Club
 * Mikva Challenge

The Future:
After graduation from the University of Michigan, I plan to attend graduate school to obtain a Masters in Public Policy then obtain my law degree. I learned a lot during high school and continuing to learn while at Michigan. I feel I have a bright future ahead and plan to live up to my potential.

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To succeed all I need is my Family...



....my friends....



... and God!



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