Alex Wasinger

- James Yorke

I was born on Jauary 16th, 1994, in Omaha Nebraska entering the new world as the first child and grandchild in my family. Growing up around them is what has shaped me to be the person I am today. As a little kid I looked up to my mother because she was raising me by herself. As I got older I developed a lot of different interest and had various experiences that I would not change if I had the opportunity too. Even without my dad, I was able to see the world differently by spending time on with his side of the family. Being the first grandchild to them too, they wanted to do everything with me.

My grandpa was an underground boxer in Omaha, but he thought me everything I needed to be strong. He also had always spoiled me, but not with food and toys. He always gave me things that he drew or made that I still have to this day. Even now, after not seeing him in 7 years and living in a different country, he still sends things across borders for me.

After about age 6, my mom remarried and I had a new step-dad. He is the one who got me interested in things like fishing, football, and weightlifting. When I first got started playing football, he had always been to everygame even if I didn't play. I remember when we were in a championship game in double overtime, and after I was on the field to stop them from scoring, he lost his voice because he was cheering so loud. He always showed me all the great things he did in high school too, and all the awards he won. We always had many parties at our house too and I remember big gatherings on July 4 because everyone wanted to be at our house.

...and than every year the parties slowly decreased. He started drinking more, and became less interested in everything. Soon nobody came over to our house anymore. By the time I was in middle school, I was the starter in all the sports, and was the leading scorer for the football team. But even with this, I could tell he was less interested. By the time I hit high school, he stopped showing up to games, and he would only ask how I did when I got home. I thought I had everything figured out. This is when things started to take a turn downhill.