When I went to meet South senior Josh Sailey on Thursday, I wasn't sure what to expect.
It was early in the morning on a chilly day and I had been up late working the previous night. Needless to say, I was barely awake when I went to South after just a few hours of sleep.
When I was able to talk to Sailey, my troubles seemed to disappear.
I was more concerned with this 18-year-old boy and the road he was going down.
Here was a kid with little family support trying to make it in this world. Track and field was just one way of staying busy and positive.
The support Sailey has received from the South track team, its coaches and the entire Rebel community is incredible.
The school nurse has even given Sailey support.
All for a boy from Liberia who is trying to become an American citizen.
Sailey needs the help and support. He appreciates every bit of it and believes it's helped him become a better person.
He still has a long way to go and he realizes that.
If he gets his citizenship, he hopes to attend Lake Erie College where he may compete in track and/or football. After two years at Lake Erie, his goal is to transfer to Baldwin Wallace.
Those are big dreams for a boy who currently has no financial aid.
Regardless, Sailey believes he can succeed.
With what he's already been through, I believe he can reach his goals.
It's just a matter of time which Sailey has plenty of now that he's about to graduate from South.
After two years at South, he's built a solid support system that he has come to rely on. That support system will be there if Sailey needs it. It has been in the past and it will be in the future.
Now Sailey just needs to embrace his new life and make the best of it.


-Theresa Neuhoff Audia