My College Education at TCNJ

Update: 7/2/19 I was so proud to start the summer this year on the campus of my New School, TCNJ, with my NJ Special Olympics Track & Field team. FREEHOLD LIGHTNING... four the first time as a Coach! It was amazing being part of this event again and working with all of the athletes this year and watching everyone grow from practice to competition. It was awesome for me in the past to compete in the games, but there is something so much more satisfying when you're a coach and you're helping other kids achieve their goals and succeed at something so special. There is nothing on the world like the feeling of helping others and being part of a group like the Special Olympics! To learn more about our team, check out the team Facebook page, FREEHOLD LIGHTNING, and the new website we're building: www.FreeholdLightning.org. I also want to thank anyone who has helped me kick off my Go Fund Me campaign. You guys are awesome! I have a long way to go, but will be posting updates along the way. I'll also be selling some of my digital art and photos soon too. Please keep in touch and check back for updates!! -- Anthony ______________________________________________ (Original Post) Hi my name is Anthony Laterra. I am 21 years old and I live in Freehold Township, NJ. I am in the Workplace Training Program at Freehold Township High School.  I have struggled during my school years and my everyday life with ADHD, anxiety and stuttering, which has impacted my life in many ways. You may have asked yourself, “What is ADHD”?  It stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,  which makes it difficult for a person to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors.  ADHD is not just a childhood disorder, but continues through adulthood. I would like to share my experience with you and how I am overcoming my disabilities. I had learning difficulties and problems even before realizing I had a disability. I felt anxious as soon as I got to school and it continued until I left school. In elementary school I could not focus and I would get easily distracted all the time. Sometimes it would frustrate me to the extent where I would lose my temper and cry.  I was then prescribed medication which helped me focus and do my school work. My parents helped me get through the highs and the lows in school. They would give me advice and techniques on ways to cope, such as, breathing in and out and taking a walk if I felt mad or upset. In the past, I had a problem communicating with people that I grew up with in my everyday life. Some of my difficulties are stuttering, getting my thoughts out correctly, being afraid of what other people think and how they will respond to me. There were many times thinking back in where I felt isolated. Kids would be talking or playing together and I would not be included. The other kids would be laughing and ignoring me. This flared my temper, caused me to cry, and I became depressed.  Although it took time, I overcame these feelings and finally became happy with myself. From that moment forward, I was content with who I was...until high school. The first three months of freshman year, I was late to class  because nobody would help me in the halls. My anxiety and stuttering got worse because I was always nervous.  It was sometime in March where my new challenge came in my 8th period math class. I cringed at the end of 7th period everyday and could not wait to go home.  This sparked frustration again. I always felt rushed and like I was drowning. I felt my head was going to explode. This caused me to act out and feel emotional. I was then transferred to Freehold Boro High School. I met teachers that listened to me and taught me coping skills when I got frustrated. I made new friends and joined Cross Country which made me happy and gave me confidence.  For the past two years I have attended Freehold Township High School in the Workplace Training Program. Going out to work and being in this program has improved my self-esteem and has made me grow into the man I am today.   Some of my accomplishments are being in the Special Olympics where I have won 26 medals for track & field which include the 50 meter dash, relay race, and the javelin throw. Now I am an assistant coach for my team Freehold Lightning. I even raised money by doing the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics. My hobbies are drawing, art, taking walks and photography. I'm also interested in traveling the world and meeting new people. I am Scottish and Irish and I am a big fan of their music, food and history. These hobbies have helped me express myself and show people how I feel. I am hoping to be a professional photographer one day and open a gallery where I could display and sell my artwork. When I was younger, I thought about college, but with my disabilities I never would have thought I could go...but this year gave me the strength and courage to follow my dreams. My mom helped me research options that were available and so I applied to  two college programs and was accepted to both! I was most excited, after many essays and interviews, to receive my official acceptance letter from TCNJ - The College of New Jersey , where I have been accepted into the CAREER and COMMUNITY STUDIES PROGRAM  beginning fall 2019, as a Residential Student! This achievement is made even more special to me because the program is limited to only 8 - 10  students EACH YEAR! The 4 year mission of the Career and Community Studies (CCS) Program at The College of New Jersey is to provide a coordinated and comprehensive course of study that includes career exploration and preparation, self awareness, discovery and personal improvement, through a framework of liberal learning and community participation. The unfortunate part of all of this is that there is very little government assistance for kids like me to help afford a program like this...in fact the government has made tremendous budget cuts to all of these programs, which makes it harder and harder for families to afford them...including mine. The estimated Tuition / Fees (until finalized in July) will be $11,460.00 for the Fall Semester + $5,600.00 Student Life & Housing fees. This is ONLY for the Fall Semester. The same will be required for me to continue in the Spring semester. A total of  $34,120.00 per year, plus whatever books, meals and other costs of living might be! If there are no increases over the next 4 years, this cost will be at least $136,480.00 to complete the program! As it is now, my parents are pulling together from their savings to get me started. My mom took on a new job this year, anticipating this day, and will be working very hard to continue my dreams...but I have three other brothers and don't want to see my parents struggle so much just for my sake. I want to do my part and am writing this to ask for your support as well. I am not looking for any handouts either. One of my hobbies, since as far as I can remember, is Photography and Digital Art. To help raise money, I am going to be selling my art. I am working now with some other artists to help me choose the right pieces and my dad will be helping me put together a website soon where we can display my work and offer my supporters digital prints of different sizes and formats. We are also planning to hold a gallery night where I can display my art and meet you in person at a gallery either near Freehold, or possibly TCNJ! Please check back for updates to my gallery site...I hope to have it figured out real soon. I am both nervous and excited to see what my future holds. I would like to thank my parents for always supporting me and being by my side. With my Family, friends and supporters like you, I know I will be successful one day because I Dare To Dream!