Marcus Grant is a four year senior at Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA. Marcus’s family lives in Carver, Ma, a small town close to the Cape. Growing up in a small town like Carver, Marcus experienced the luxury of being known by everyone in the town because of his athletic ability. Following in the footsteps of his brother, Mike (23), he had big shoes to fill on the athletic field because of his brother’s reputation as always being the best. When Marcus was 8 years old, his cousin Keith (9) moved in with him, due to family issues, and this was probably the best thing to happen to him. “I think when my cousin moved in with me, I realized how fortunate I was to have both parents. It made me into a better person, more giving and open to others of different backgrounds. Also, it made me competitive, which I believe is the reason I like to compete to this day.” Seeing his cousin struggle everyday, trying to cope with the fact that his parents didn’t want him, let Marcus see that life was not always fair, that sometimes things happen and there is no logical explanation.
In 5th grade, Marcus would meet a teacher that would impact his life drastically. Marcus was always a decent student in school, but it wouldn’t be until he walked into Mrs. Cecchini class when he was 10 years old that he realized he wanted to be a great one. Mrs. C would always speak to the class about life and choices and how each decision and choice they made would have an effect on who they become. She always preached about respect and how it was so vital to respect others and to earn their respect as well.“There was just something about Mrs. C that would keep me coming back her class, even years later for advice and conversation. After 5th grade I took pride in my learning,” says Marcus.
At age 12, Marcus and his peers gave the town of Carver something to look forward to by winning a state championship in youth football. People would say, “These kids are going to bring back Carver Athletics to its glory days.” Marcus and his friends would talk about high school and how when they got there, they would bring Carver High their first championships in football and basketball.
In his freshman year of high school at Carver High, Marcus would make the varsity football, basketball, and track teams. He exceeded all expectations for a freshman. Many people in Carver were excited about his future, but when freshman year concluded, Marcus and his parents started looking into prep schools around the area because his parents felt it would give him the best opportunity to succeed. Marcus’s good childhood friend, Denzel Brito was already at Lawrence. So when he heard Marcus was looking to leave public school, he immediately called Marcus and told him to check out Lawrence.
A couple months later, Marcus was accepted and gave his pledge that he would attend Lawrence. With the decision to leave his hometown came many criticisms, but Marcus knew this would better his future. Now fifteen, living away from home, and at a place where he knew one other person, Marcus had a new challenge to overcome. He now had to make new friends, and build a new identity. “Coming to Lawrence was the best decision I ever made. It opened so many doors to a future I never thought I’d be pursuing.” At Lawrence, Marcus’s football coach, Mike Taylor, would become a big influence on his life, and after Marcus’s junior year in football, he would become known as one of the best football players in all of New England. Earning scholarships from multiple universities, Marcus would choose to attend the University of Iowa, shocking many people, including his parents. Marcus was the first person from his town to earn a full division 1 scholarship in sports, an accomplishment for which he gives credit to the people who has helped him along the way.
Now with his senior year coming to a close at Lawrence Academy, Marcus looks forward to his next challenge, college.
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