My name is Antwan Byrd and I am 20 years old. Compared to other applicants, I believe I have endured quite a few more adversities. But the real challenge, or the real adversity was me. It has always been me. Pondering on life, I have realized that I have always been afraid. Afraid of failure, of letting people down, trying new things, meeting new people, being different and the biggest fear of all, was putting my all into something for merely no outcome. I had no desire for risk taking. I thought if I kept my guard up and focused on other things or on other people, then no harm could ever be done. But every missed opportunity and every possibility ignored pushed me back further and further. But this was no case about a hapless young man. I
