Luke Tarquinio

Hydroplaning off the highway at 75 miles per hour will change your world. There is no denying that I am blessed to still be here today. Still here, to call myself Luke Tarquinio, now a 19 year-old young man whom I believe to be both ambitious and optimistic. A kid who has the opportunity to study at a national university and acquire the skills to do what I have yet to figure out. Since my near-fatal car accident just a couple years ago, my outlook on life is a lot different than what it once was. I now realize that there are a very few things in life that are guaranteed. Some things that I have faith in are that I have a wonderful girlfriend and family that will support me through life's toughest trials, and God to make sure that everything will work itself out. Before my accident, I would look forward to the next major event in my life, expecting that it would fall into place somehow. I hoped to play collegiate level football, and attend a top-level academic school where my degree would take me anywhere. Now I look at everyday as a blessing, a challenge to overcome, and an opportunity to enjoy to the fullest. I feel as though life has hit me hard early, and I have learned that there are many things that are outside of my control. Where I choose to guide my focus is on what I can control. I may not get to live out my childhood dreams, but I believe that there are bigger things in store for me, and if I remain courageous, I may endure whatever life throws my way and turn it toward my favor. I view this portfolio as an opportunity to reflect on what is important to me, and share some of me with you. My surreal experience has guided me to become the person I am today. Steve Jobs illustrates my feelings toward life eloquently with this quote, "Almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment of failure, these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart".