Johnell graduated from Olympus Academy last June. Olympus is the high school we run in Canarsie for kids who need a second chance.

"I did plenty of stupid things as an angry kid," says Johnell. "And I never had anyone [male] to look up to until I got to know the Olympus counselors. My advice to others? Never, ever give up. Things can change."

"I don't know what I was so angry about, but I was a real hothead," Johnell said. His mother went to prison when he was about two and he hasn't seen her since. He doesn't know his father. His grandmother raised him until she was too old to manage a troubled child. His aunt eventually adopted him. His older cousin took him in when his aunt told him to leave.

At Olympus he found a home. The staff encouraged his aptitude for math and computers, his athletic skills, and his leadership. He's passionate about learning. He says he never thought of himself as a college student. Now he expects to start college next semester and would love an opportunity to play college football.

As Johnell says, "Never, ever give up. Things can change."

He wants us to thank you for changing his life.