Close your eyes and think back to your childhood. What did you want to be when you grew up? Throughout my childhood, I have had several career changes and aspirations. I wanted to be a ballerina, a hair dresser, professional athlete and most importantly a singer. For some reason, I knew that I would become this famous singer making millions-- that dream only went as far as my front door. But for Jaycob Curlee, he gets to live his dream.
Jaycob Curlee, a native of Daphne, Alabama, competed in the ninth season of America's Got Talent. Sadly, in week two's semifinals, he was eliminated. Even though he didn't win, it did not stop him from striving to achieve his dream. The dream of making great music.
Growing up, Jaycob didn't have the best parents. They were either in jail or were doing drugs. When he was five, Jaycob and his sister were removed from their home and placed into foster care. During visitation days, his biological parents came with gifts, but it didn't last long. As a child of divorce, I can remember thinking that I was unloved and unwanted. It took three years for Jaycob and his sister to be adopted.
On October 12, 2016, Jaycob attended the Georgia Association of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America's (FCCLA) Fall Rally in Perry, Georgia at the Georgia National Fairgrounds as their motivational speaker. FCCLA is the only in-school organization with family as its central focus. FCCLA's mission is: Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communications, practical knowledge, and career preparation.
In my opinion, the message that Jaycob gave to over a thousand students and teachers, who were in attendance, was to never give up on something you love or want. He wanted a family and never gave up hope of getting to be apart of one. Jaycob also never gave up on his dream of making music. His album, "Things I Never Said," is out and ready for purchase. With family being FCCLA's central focus, I am pretty sure the message will not be soon forgotten. Nor meeting someone famous.
