By Douglas V. Gibbs
Tyki Nelworth could have easily become just another statistic. South Central Los Angeles has a tendency to do that to young men. Nelworth could very well have headed in a bad direction considering his mother is in prison, and his father is dead. His sister told him he had been "born a crack baby," and he was once taken away from his mother because of neglect. Without a consistent home environment, bouncing from home to home, Tyki Nelworth looked to be just another kid in Los Angeles who joined the gangs, and got himself into trouble.
Adversity did not crush Tyki, however, but instead motivated him. A senior at Washington Preparatory High School he always kept his mind focused on his academic goals. His high grade-point average, and participation in Advanced Placement classes, has earned him to the notice of some very important people. Last week Tyki Nelworth was accepted to, and received a four-year scholarship for, the United States Military Academy (West Point).
Nelworth plans to study engineering, something you don't hear often from someone raised on the tough streets of Los Angeles. Instead of a life of gangs and crime, or a life supported by a myriad of government entitlements, for Nelworth the sky's the limit.
Tyki Nelworth was honored by members of the high school's alumni association on Thursday with a "Principal's Breakfast" attended by all of his family, friends, faculty of his school, and other guests.
Nelworth's life has been one of individual resilience, strength and determination, best exhibited by his own words: "I always use past experiences as motivation . . . not as an excuse not to do something."
Donations have also been presented to him, totaling several hundred dollars to pay for his Advanced Placement tests, his senior dues and transportation to West Point.
He has also received two prom tickets, a prom tuxedo, gift cards, clothes and shoes -- donated by alumni, community groups and local churches, among others.
With tears streaming down his cheeks, Nelworth said of the gifts, "I honestly didn't know that there were so many people that cared for me. It's something I definitely won't forget."
He chose to aim high, and to grab hold of the opportunities America offers.
Adversity, to Nelworth, is a motivator. Even with all of the obstacles of his life, Nelworth says of them, "I knew I had to keep pushing. I had to become somebody."
A pastor once told him, "Victory is won by struggling against opposition. Victory is something you have to get up and take charge of."
Those words became one of Nelworth's mantras.
Tyki's life has been a difficult journey. He lived through a turbulent home life, and was surrounded by elements that could have brought him down. But all of those things in his life were only storms that strengthened him, contributed to his growth and assisted in establishing his character. And like all storms, the obstacles in life have ended for now, and a bright, blue sky has opened up before him.
The principal of Washington Preparatory, Todd Ullah, says of Nelworth, "Academics are first. . . He cares about people, and that shows in his academic work, the respect he shows for teachers. And he never misses an assignment, never misses school."
An inspiration that those around him would be wise to emulate.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Despite a life of hardship, he's headed for West Point - Los Angeles Times
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