Dajonna Lewis '21 Recruiting Profile

Hello, if you're seeing this, then i just want to grab your attention for a few minutes. My name is Dajonna Lewis, and I attend Woonsocket high school, in Woonsocket, Rhode island.  Now, when I tell you that i'm from Rhode island, most of the people I've met who aren't from here go, "Rhode island? Where is that ?" Being one of the most unknown, and the smallest states in America. And i want to change that. I want people to know about such a small place. I want to make sure everyone in Rhode island knows my name. I want to make sure that they see my name flash across their TV screens when they're watching the Olympics, years and years from now. I want my name to be just a few clicks away on google, for being one of the best of the best. Growing up, I always wanted to be recognized for something. I wanted people to know who I am. I remember my first track meet my sophomore year, I didn't look too hot. But, a few weeks into practicing, I started to get higher and higher on the leader boards. Going to the Outdoor state championships that year was one of the best experiences I've ever been apart of. I remember waiting in my heat, right next to the best sprinter in my state, and not thinking i was gonna do too great. But its running with the competition i know is better than me that motivates me to be the hard working and pushing athlete I am. And, I remember dead out of breath after the finals, seeing my name in that 6th place slot, and almost breaking down. I was the happiest I've been in a very long time that moment. And standing in front of everyone, including my father,and getting handed my metal, instantly made me think, "This is what i wanna do".  With the motivation of my friends and family, constantly telling me that i can do something. That I can be something big, and that I have a really good shot at running professionally. My junior indoor track year was amazing, running the indoor season for the first time gave me some nerves, but i warmed up to it, and qualified for the 4x200m and 55m dash. The state championship meet had to be one of the worst I've ever ran. From my teammate falling down during our race, to me false starting in the preliminary 55 dash. From that moment forward, I've thought to myself that every meet isn't perfect, and honestly, I think I needed to mess up. Because, honestly, I had a big ego for a while, and I take that meet as a personal reminder, that i'm only human and its okay to mess up and not be so hard on myself like i tend to be.  Now, I will be the first to admit that i'm not the academically amazing student you might think I am. I genuinely do struggle with school, I've been like that my whole life. But I told myself to do it for me, and the people around me, so i push myself to be the best student I can. Now, you can have access to my gpa, and sat scores, but I hope that it won't effect the way you look at me, and the motivation I have to do better. I'm hoping you'll still give me just as much of a chance as you would give someone with a 4.0 gpa. I want to endlessly thank you for taking a look into my profile, and decide to throw me a message or email. Thank you!