I’ve always had a drive to be a Journalist. Since December of 1990, my dad has worked as a behind the scenes director for WZZM 13 News. His work has inspired me to join his field of work.
On Monday August 27, 2018, I had my first day of classes at Grand Rapids Community College. If you told me at my high school graduation that I would have to spend six years attending community college, I would have thought you were crazy. This is because I thought I was attending Grand Valley State University that fall. I had submitted my application but was denied admission into GVSU. GRCC was my second option, though I wasn’t happy about it. My Dad told me “James, you’re a Raider!” was the last thing I wanted to hear, I wanted to be a Laker.
Fast forward to December 5, 2018, I was taking the final exam of my English class, which was my only class, as at the beginning of the semester I dropped three of the four classes I was going to take. My professor, Andrew Lusskey, saw me rush through the exam, saying “that was quick” as I turned in the exam. I completed my first GRCC class, though I wasn’t too proud of myself. Later that night, my life turned upside down. My Grandfather passed away due to heart failure, leaving me heartbroken after my first semester of college.
For the first 3 years of my GRCC career, I struggled to maintain more than one or two classes at a time, going part-time as well as dropping multiple classes. Exceeding the normal two-year community college career was confusing and disappointing for me. Despite the struggles, I have met so many new friends through these first three years that it made it slightly better to handle the stress.
In March 2020, GRCC went online as it shut its doors due to COVID-19. Like everything else shutting down at the time, it was a horrifying experience. In June 2020, when race riots took over Downtown Grand Rapids due to the murder of George Floyd, I spent some of my 21st birthday under curfew because of the riot cleanup. I was depressed as ever, even having thoughts of suicide due to the angry behavior of my grandmother who was suffering from dementia. Getting the option to go into a mental health center for this was beyond scary, I ended up never getting treatment, but reaching out to a care counselor at my Church.
Fast forward to October 2021, I became a member of the college newspaper, the Collegiate, was working a new job at a pizza restaurant and bar in Belmont known as Flos, and unfortunately lost my Grandmother as she passed away from dementia. My time at GRCC continued to be part-time as I continued to work hard at GRCC writing political and sports stories for The Collegiate, including interviewing an individual who was protesting the police-involved death of Patrick Lyoya, as well as meeting and interviewing Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.
Later in 2023, I got a new job in facilities at Calvary Church, and continued toward trying to pass a math class at GRCC. In August, a minor speed bump happened as I fell ill from COVID and had to stay away from work and school for a week. Only going to CVS Pharmacy’s drive thru for a COVID test, which was only a two-minute drive down the street from my house, was a nightmare within itself. In January of 2024, I applied to GVSU for the first time since 2018 and I was accepted in! Later in April, I almost failed my math class, but after putting some additional effort in, I was able to pass with a C. I have maintained a 2.9 GPA due to these accomplishments.
Fast forward to the present day, I finish my GRCC career completing a geology class and ending my time at The Collegiate, looking to my journalism future at GVSU in the fall. As I look back, I see my struggles but also think of the accomplishments that I have made. Six years of community college seems like a long journey, but for me, it was needed for success.
Keep moving forward.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or depression, know that you’re not alone, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to talk with a crisis counselor 24/7/365.
