“Hayes,” the professor says as he or she calls the class role by last names. “Present,” I always yell from the front row in every class that I’m in. Hayes, that’s me; I am a basketball player and yes I’m the front row as a student-athlete on the dean’s list. On the basketball court I’m called by my last name, Hayes, if I score a basket or do something great on defense. Why are last names so relevant to things I excel in? Especially if it’s the only thing my father ever gave me, my last name. Although my father hasn’t been apart of my life enough to consider him a role model, I’ve used his absence to get me where I am today. This deficiency has influenced me to work hard in everything I do, to appreciate and be grateful for what I do have, and has helped me become a stronger person. All day and night until I was 12 years old, I used to sit and wonder why my father only came around every once in a blue moon. This led me to join sports as soon as I was old enough to play for my middle school’s basketball team, volleyball team, and run for the track team. I’ve gave every single sport my all. I’ve worked hard because I wanted my father to see me in the newspaper or on the television doing something he could be proud of. In high school, I’ve been the Most Valuable Player all four years of my Varsity career. I’ve made it in the newspaper and online news several times for my accomplishments, yet this still didn’t bring him around more. I became an extraordinary player at basketball so I chose that over volleyball and track and I’m now in college doing what I love. I’ve had two knee injuries, and I’ve managed to work my knees back up and earn a college scholarship playing basketball for a division 1 junior college. I have no one to thank but my father for this because if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have worked as hard as I did to get here. Through the adversity of my father’s absence, my mother, grandparents, and uncle helped me get through it. They’ve filled his shoes to the best of their ability and anything I’ve ever wanted, I have. I once heard that one wouldn’t appreciate the light if they didn’t experience dark times. This is relevant to me because I don’t think I’d appreciate my family the way I do if it wasn’t for my father’s nonexistence. I owe no gratitude to no one but my father for this, he’s taught me how to appreciate the things I do have. I am very grateful to have grown up the way I did with such great mentors. Of course things would’ve been way better if he was apart of my life but even without him, I’m so indebted for the way my life has turned out. I’ve been through so much in my life and I’m only 18 years old. With my mom’s health, my uncle being diagnosed with and conquering cancer, my grandma being on a pacemaker, and my grandfather being involved in a chemical spill at a power plant, they’ve all managed to nurture me. Through every hardship, they were there. So I’ve wondered, again, why isn’t my father around? I’m such an awesome person and he doesn’t even know it. This has pushed me to be the best, strongest person I can be for my family. All of these events have made me a tougher person and has led me to be a student-athlete in college, working on a Pre-Pharmacy degree and pursuing a doctorate’s degree at a university after I’m done at the junior college level. While my father’s absence doesn’t define him, it defines me. I’ve filled this empty spot with all the satisfying components I have in order to be successful. I truly am more grateful to have a family that stepped up when I was missing a big part in my life, my father. He has inspired me to go harder each and every day. I wouldn’t be the young woman I am today if it wasn’t for him. All I’ve ever wanted was for him to be proud of me and be happy to say that I’m his daughter. I’m the “Hayes” that the professors listed on the dean’s list. I’m the “Hayes” that’s been so blessed to continue my basketball career in college. With this last name, I carry so much weight and I’m strong enough to hold this weight on my own. All thanks to my father.