Meet Damian, athlete and DSST: College View Senior, now headed to college this fall.
From the Football Field to a College Campus
Damian plays football for Sheridan High School and has spent two years developing the discipline and drive that now fuel his academic ambitions. His passion for the game sparked something bigger: a dream to pursue sports management in college.
That kind of clarity and knowing your direction while staying open to the journey, is exactly what DSST's Graduate Profile is built around: developing a sense of self, purpose, and the college-ready skills to back it up.
The Journey Isn’t Always Linear
Damian's journey at DSST: College View isn't a straight line and that's exactly what makes it worth telling.
The result? Straight A's and B's in his junior and senior year and a list of college acceptances that includes MSU Denver, University of Wyoming, Minnesota North College, Christian College and Caldwell University to play football.
The People Who Showed Up
Damian is quick to name the people who walked with him through the hard parts. Ms. Joy Caraway and Ms. Gianna Geraffo were influential in his journey. They noticed his ability to raise his GPA and never stopped believing in his potential.
"They helped lay the foundation down and stayed by my side no matter what. They knew I was able to perform at a high level, and they made things a lot easier for me... I will forever be thankful for them"
From home: His mom and dad, who kept the pressure on and kept showing up.
"They told me I gotta lock in. And I finally clicked my brain, and I locked in."
This is what DSST's College Success team does every day: meet students where they are, and walk with them all the way to the finish line.
His Message to Incoming Freshmen
If Damian could go back and talk to his 6th-grade self, or any student just starting their DSST journey, here's what he'd say:
“Never be afraid to ask for help and use the resources your teachers and school provide, which will make things a whole lot easier along the way.”
Celebrate With Us at Senior Signing Day
Damian's story is one of hundreds being written across the DSST network this spring.
Senior Signing Day is our biggest celebration of the year a moment to honor every senior who has done the work, leaned on their community, and earned their next chapter. We can’t wait to see how Damian thrives at college and beyond.