Interview Mr.

Striggs
Lewis, Keden
9/10/15
P.2
Have you ever wanted to meet a person that played football? Mr. Striggs is
the person I am interviewing he began his college education at southern university
in Baton Rouge. He completed four semesters (2 years) before being put on
academic suspension. He was offered an opportunity to submit an official letter to
re-enroll into the college but he chose not to because he knew he was not serious
about his education. After dropping out of school, he moved back home to California
and worked several jobs before deciding he needed some education to live a better
life. In 1998 he enrolled at Cerritos College and became a student athlete. He then
transferred to Compton community college where he completed his AA degree with
honors (3.0). The reason why he continued his education at a junior college was
because the cost to attend was hundreds of dollars less than traditional college
tuition.
Mr. Striggs majored in public Administration. However, it was not his first
choice. He wanted to study International Business, but a professor his mother had
at California State University Dominguez Hills (in 2005) questioned his interest and
analyzed his way of thinking and suggested that Public Administration would be a
great career because there are several career opportunities in the field and many
areas of services needed. Mr. Striggs received his bachelors degree in Public
Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice.
College was not always easy for him. I had the most difficulty with English
class. Although he speaks well, he says that his writing stills needs some work.
His anxiety of expression through writing stems from a 4th grade teacher that said
he would not become a good writer. It is weird the things we remember as
children that can end up shaping or breaking our spirits he said. When he was
young he liked poetry and reading but that 4th grade teacher killed his passion for
writing.
Mr. Striggs favorite college class was a creative Leadership class because it
was a very dynamic class. All the students including the professor were engaged in
the learning process. The football field is where he felt he had some prowess. He
said sports is like second hand nature to me. Mr. Striggs played collegiate football
for Cerritos College with hope to transfer on a scholarship to any school. He was
banking on his athletic ability to fund the rest of his college experience but, Mr.
Striggs ended up becoming a father which ended his dream. College for him was fun
when Mr. Striggs was competing on the football field. The football field is where he
felt most comfortable.
Finally, when I asked Mr. Striggs about meeting people or making friends in
college his response was surprising. I met many nice and interesting people but I
kept them at a distance. I dont trust people very well. But, he recalled a

roommate he had named Siaka. A senior engineering student who also happened to
be a foreign exchange student from Africa and a star tennis player for the
University. I learned from him dedication, drive, and a willingness to succeed. In
2011 Mr. Striggs finally earned his Bachelors Degree. He began the journey in the
early 90s. Along the way, Mr. Striggs became a father of two wonderful children.
This prolonged his journey but with the dedication, drive, and the willingness to
succeed that he adopted from his former roommate, he was able to finish this part
of his life. With his children there to witness his accomplishment he hopes that he
has sparked a desire within his own children to want to get a college degree so they
can lead and live rich and comfortable lives.