Applicant #35: Derrick Ingram

Derrick Ingram is a 20-year-old from Manchester.

Derrick's video application:

Derrick online:

+ Twitter
+ Facebook
+ Facebook group

Derrick's current situation:

I currently manage my own community based organization called "DWRECK", that educates young people about depression and other mental illnesses. I'm an active advocate and social entrepreneur, planning everything from fundraisers to marketing on every form of social media.

I'm also currently a student-athlete at Missouri Baptist University, and active member of my church.
My ultimate goal in life is to make a positive impact in the world. And everyday, I strive to achieve that goal.

Derrick's blog post:

GROWING UP

I am a mosaic full of contradictions and faults, and I'm ok with being damaged. We're 18 to 25, this is the time where we're allowed to make mistakes, to figure out who we are and to liberally use the phrase "Did I do that?"

It matters little where a man may be at this moment; the point is whether he is growing. - George MacDonald

That quote is truly inspiring and helpful for those of us stuck in this middle ground, between future adulthood and the mistakes of our youth. We should learn from every mistake we all make and grow one step closer to our goal whatever it may be, financially, educationally, or career wise we as young people should be maturing.

Independence is also vital in eventually emerging as polished stable adults. Growing up is never simple. You clinch on to circumstances that were. You wonder what’s to come. You go in for that first professional interview and that uneasy feeling multiplies and wrecks havoc on your stomach. But, thats when every lesson since grade school comes into play; take a deep breathe, sit up straight, exude confidence, and look them in the eye.

Its going to be tough, but take advantage of this time. These are the years we will never forget, the years we strived for independence and decided to grow up.

Derrick