Al Watson
Majors: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Sociology
Graduation Date: December 2003
Residence: Akron, OH
Born: Connecticut
As the oldest child in a dysfunctional home, I got my GED to go into the service at age 17. I had a very bad attitude toward authority figures. I left home with very little self respect and self value. I had very little respect toward the educational system. I was a school jock and did little to apply myself in most areas of study. I did not think that I would ever need college or that it would make any difference in my life.
I was married, divorced, married again, and then widowed by age 25. Though I had had some well paying jobs, despite my educational level, nothing seemed to last. I am sure that was due mostly to my own personal problems. I bounced around the country doing different things from working on cotton farms, light industrial, male exotic dancer, to a roadie for rock bands.
But in 1995, my life took a drastic turn. I found myself in prison for possession of a firearm. Prison was somewhere I never thought I would be, just like college. While behind the barbed wire fence in a cold, concrete 4 by 6 foot cell, I got smart and started taking college courses. I had to take many pre-college level classes to get up to the college level. Once I was released from prison, I continued my education.
Now, I am one semester away from graduating with a double major. It has taken six long, difficult years of hardships to get here. I have worked full time, attended school full time, and helped to raise my children. I was blessed with a great support network to prod and push me to keep going . My battle cry is, "I have too much invested to not finish." So for those who read this, it is hard work, but it can be done if you want it bad enough. You only have to do to two things: decide how bad you want it, and what you’re willing to do to get it.
Goals: Graduate degree.
Aspirations: To make a better future for those that will come after me.
Areas of interest: To work with troubled teens and build a camp for teens.
