It was six years ago that a young kid and his two brothers from Bixby, Oklahoma, were told that they would be moving to Texas, and boy, has it been a wild ride.

I moved to Lovejoy two weeks before the start of middle school and was excited to embrace the unknown set before me. But what I experienced over the next six years and what I had to overcome changed me.

Sports had always been my identity. In seventh grade, I joined the football team, where I made a ton of friends and had a great time playing a sport I’ve played all my life. Then I moved on to basketball where I had a great season with teammates who ended up being lifelong friends including Joe Vastano, Luke Ledebur and Kyle Olson.

However, in our last tournament, I tore my ACL, which was very uncommon for my age. My family and I took a risk and had surgery a month later. Little did I know, this wouldn’t be the last time I would have sports taken away from me.

Looking back, freshman year of high school was super exciting for me. I got to be in the same school as my brother Grant for the first time and continued to make new friends. I got involved in more clubs and activities and really had a fun time in baseball and basketball. Sophomore year was kind of like freshman year for me. Everything was going well until in one of my last basketball games of the season I tore my labrum and had surgery a few weeks later.

Junior Year was challenging at times academically, as it is for most people, but I finished out the year strong and had a fun basketball season in my first year on varsity. In the summer before senior year I tore my labrum again, this time on my other shoulder and had my third surgery a few weeks later.

Then senior year started. I knew where I was going to college, I was excited for my last year of basketball, and everything looked promising. People older than me said senior year was supposed to be the best year of high school, but for me it was one of the toughest times in my life.

In the middle of September at practice, one day before I was supposed to be fully cleared from my shoulder injury, I tore my ACL again in my right knee. This caused me to miss my senior year of basketball which was extremely hard on me throughout the year. Out of all the injuries I had, this was the only one that caused me to miss a season of basketball. However, through it all, I knew these injuries were happening for a reason, even though I didn’t know or understand what this reason was.

Now it’s time for a new chapter of my life–I get to be a freshman again, as I am traveling over 700 miles to Auburn University. Despite the long distance, I couldn’t be more excited to attend my parents’ alma mater and my dream school. The jump from high school to college can be tough, but I know I’m ready for the challenge. Through high school, I’ve become a more determined and energetic person who is excited to continue growing in college.

Before I graduate and say goodbye, I’d like to thank everybody at the high school for educating me and helping me throughout my high school experience. Through the ups and downs I’ve encountered, I’ve been blessed with good friends and I have formed relationships that will last a long time.

Specifically I’d like to thank the following: My basketball teammates, Coach Herrema, Coach Vansell, Coach Smiley. My friends and hometown of Bixby, Oklahoma and Texas and my family. Some mentors and fellow Red Ledger staff members I’d like to shoutout are Matthew Fisher, Blake Pfaff and my brother Grant who inspired me. I always looked up to them even though they didn’t know it. My brother Grant taught me to always rely on God, and he was a constant role model to me throughout my first two years in high school, and still is to this day. Finally, I’d like to shoutout my little brother Will who will be a freshman next year as he attempts to carry on the Doig legacy.

Thanks to everyone at Lovejoy whether it was my friends, family, coaches, teammates or community, as they were always there for me and were willing to go the extra mile. I love them all.

If I could leave the students with any advice, it’s this–don’t seek approval from others, and be yourself no matter what. Trying to fit in with popular groups or people will only distance you from your true self. Be yourself, be confident, try new things, be bold, and most importantly rely on God and trust in his plan even if you don’t know what it is right now. Despite the obstacles that you may go through, lean on your close friends and faith as it will take you a long way.

Throughout high school I learned who was really there for me and who genuinely cared about me through my injuries. Even though my high school experience didn’t go necessarily how I wanted, the injuries I had forced me to change my identity and turn my focus from sports to God, and for that I am extremely grateful. I would do anything do get my senior year back or be able to play sports at the level I used to be at before my injuries, but without these experiences, I would not be who I am today.

So as my final goodbye, you know I can’t leave without saying this: War Eagle!