| </SCRIPT> On Dec. 8, 2004, which was Danielle 18th birthday, she received a call about 7 p.m. from the head soccer coach at Alabama A&M University to offer her a full athletic scholarship. She is currently on target to finish Alabama A& M University in May of 2009 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Danielle has been on the dean’s list since she has been at the university. This past fall she was promoted to a full academic scholarship for her performance in her school work. Danielle has maintained a 3.8 grade point average since she has been in college and also received the Soccer Scholar of the Year award at the past spring banquet. Danielle was selected to represent Alabama A&M University at the NCAA Leadership Conference this past spring in Orlando, Fla. Danielle told me that this was the most memorable event in her life. She now has met and has made friends all over the world. Last soccer season, the women's soccer team of Alabama A&M won the South Western Athletic Conference (SWAC) and earned a spot in the NCAA Women Soccer playoffs. The Alabama Bulldogs played the Georgia Bulldogs which capped off a great season. The highlight of this season for Danielle was getting a chance to compete against a past teammate in the Georgia playoff game. Danielle came home for the winter break for two days before she headed to Arlington, Va., and is working during her break. Danielle has worked every break she has been off while in college, because “she likes making her own money.” Danielle recently turned twenty one and I'm proud to say she has matured more every year she has been away from home. Danielle has learned to take responsibility, be a team player, go to church regularly, and maintain a home while going to school and playing soccer. I've taught my children that there is no free lunch or hand out in this world and if you want things bad enough you have to set goals and make them happen. Danielle took several advance placement (AP) courses while she was at Oak Ridge High School and it helped her to be prepared and ready to tackle whatever area she was willing to go into. Danielle has recently become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. While in college, she has also become a member of National Society of Women Engineers (SWE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and many other clubs and organizations. While being involved in these organizations she has learned to network, greet, and listen to people. All of these activities are helping her to continue to grow. The message that Danielle wants all future upcoming students to grasp is to start today getting ready for your dreams to come true. Danielle was also very active in high school. She played sports, she was on the City of Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board, and she would get with the “A” & “B” students and study for tests. Danielle would also find mentors like Mrs. Homan, Ms. Osborne and others when she needed help. I hope this article will inspire all our young folks to set goals and stop looking for excuses when it's time to move on in your life. | 
