Garrett Hendricks

Relationships have made me who I am today. My antics, my hairstyle, my wardrobe, even my cheesiest jokes have been influenced by incredible people in my life. Growing up, I was always blessed with an amazing family. My father is one of the hardest working men I have ever met. He did not go to college, yet he has been very successful in his work and in the reputation he upholds. Like my father, I respect my mother the same. She worked as a schoolteacher for years until I was born and quit so she could be home with me. The sacrifices the two have made for me in my life are incomparable. I was able to enjoy the life as the only child for 8 years until talks of a little brother began. Not knowing whether or not I wanted to share my toys and the attention of my parents, I was hesitant on the idea. I quickly got over this and was slowly becoming comfortable to sharing the spotlight when I was blessed with yet another sibling. This time it was a girl, and the life I once had as an only child was now substituted with Barbie dolls and countless reruns of Caillou.

Along with my immediate family, I had a church family that was just as close. I attended a Baptist Church near my house and was blessed with relationships of some of the most amazing people. Every Sunday I was greeted with hugs, handshakes, advice, and stories from people of all ages. I can contribute several of my virtues and much of my kindness from growing up in this environment. Not only was I able to have relationships with hundreds of people, I was able to have a relationship with God. I am very blessed to call Harmony Grove Baptist Church my home and I know I would not be the same person without it.

I had my Nike shirt, my Eddie Bauer backpack, and a fresh new box of pencils ready for the first day of middle school. This was a major transition in my life and became the place that many of my lifelong relationships would begin. I can sum up my middle school experience in three years very easily. I didn't try my 6th grade year, tried to hard in 7th, and was able to find a balance in 8th. It was a journey, yet somehow I got through it with numerous people who I called my friend. Just like the circle of life, I was once at the top of the food chain in middle school, but now dwelled on the bottom in high school.

I won't lie, I was nervous. Was I cool enough? Was I talented enough? Was I smart enough? It was up to me to answer these questions and it wasn't long until I did. I was th