I’m from a small town outside of Rutland,

From the heart of southern Vermont,


I’m from tragedy,

From struggle,

I’m from a cycle of abuse,

Where my mom was victim,

At the mercy of my father’s hands,

I’m from a broken home,

From a divorced, but strong-willed mother trying to make ends meet,

I’m from “I love you to the moon and stars and back again”,

From where family is all you have,

I’m from booming voices of four sisters,

I’m from “you find out who your friends are”

I’m from “Catie, can you please help me with this?”

From little sisters who love me,

I’m from “being Mom’s little helper”,

From “being Mom’s best friend,

I’m from the John Hopkins’s Institute for Gifted and Talented children,

From high honors,

I’m from “boxing is my life”,

From a fresh start,

I’m from a new dad,

That has me soaring high with the Air Force now,

I’m from 26 hours weekly, fighting inside and outside the ring,

To end the cycle for others,

I’m from a broken cycle and broken despair,

From gained hope and new found courage,

I’m from opportunities and leadership,

But I am still trying to break the chains of the past,

I’m from chances I should have taken, and roads I’m glad I lost,

Ever evolving

I’m from those memories,

A leaf changing color with the seasons of life,

time only strengthens the branch that holds me.