Caleb’s College – Degree in Criminal Justice @ SHSU

My name is Caleb Calvery, currently eighteen years old and the eldest of four siblings.  Over the years, I have overcome many challenges, faced many obstacles, and have set goals in my life that I plan to see through to the end, no matter what.

The first eleven years of my life were spent in motel rooms, shelters, and rented homes with my parents, brothers and sister. My biological dad was abusive and when I was eleven, my mom divorced him allowing us to come back to Fort Worth after living ten years in Minneapolis.

As I got older, I saw that my biological dad squandered his resources, his verbal abusiveness towards us became increasing common on our required visits and his lack of respect for authority was devastating. Because of these characteristics, I found myself following his example in how I treated my mom and siblings. In 2009 and again in 2012, my biological dad physically assaulted me and on my eighteenth birthday, I testified against him, and the court sentenced him to eight years in prison. The only thing I can take from him is how I do not want to be like him.

Because of my transient home life, I fell behind in home schooling refusing to learn. My biological dad did not help my mom enforce the school rules. In ninth grade, upon the advent of my parents’ divorce, I was placed in a private school. During my first year in high school, I fell behind in math having an average grade of 54, but managed to get B’s in other classes with one or two A’s in my electives. I was lazy and did not have much concern for my grades, being satisfied with doing the bare minimum.

I was introduced to an individual named Mark Calvery, who later became my stepfather, who began tutoring me in math as well as teaching me to be more respectful to my mom and siblings. My stepfather became an important factor in my life that has helped me to become the man I am today. He showed me not only how to act in public, but he taught me the importance of my grades, pushing me until I had an A average in all of my classes.

Before beginning my junior year of high school, my mom transferred me to public school. My belief at the time was that it would be much easier than private school, but, to my amazement, it was more challenging. I again found myself working very hard to maintain 'A' averages in all of my advance placement, honor and dual credit classes during my junior and senior years of high school, which at times required additional tutoring before and after school.

Because of determination to fulfill my dreams and the support of my mom and stepfather, I graduated Cum Laude, Distinguished Achievement Graduate (only student in a class of 220), ROTC and National Honor Society that has allowed me to be accepted into state universities. I am grateful my stepfather came along when he did because I know I would not have graduated at my potential.

During my senior year of high school, I began the process of researching and applying for every scholarship that came across my path and applying for admission to Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tarleton State University and Texas Christian University, which I was accepted to all. Gaining acceptance to a university was the least of my worries, but obtaining the finances to pay for it (approximately $19,000 a year) has definitely been a challenge and overwhelming at times. So far, I have received two scholarships totaling $2500, 1) top 10% in class and 2) completing the FASFA on time. Currently, I am working a full-time job and pursuing work-study at college to assist in paying for my higher education.

I have chosen to pursue a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in the School of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University, with an education goal of a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a career goal as a U. S. Marshal. With what I have been taught over the last few years and with the support of family and friends, I know that all of my goals are attainable allowing me to support my family.

So, you are asking yourself, “How can I help Caleb?” I am asking 250 of my family and friends to donate$75 each to assist me in accomplishing my 2013 – 2014 educational goals. I have also been accepted into the Sam Houston Elite Program whose mission is to establish and promote academic development, encourage civic engagement and to increase the rate at which Sam Houston State University retains and graduates men of color. This program requires that I maintain a grade point average of 2.5, but I have set my goal of 3.5 to graduate with honors and to assist in attaining additional academic scholarships to assist in paying for my higher education.

Finally, I would again like to thank my mom and stepfather for their wisdom, guidance and support and each family member and friend for assisting me in seeing my dreams and goals come true.