Parents play major roles in influencing their children’s future. Junior Riley Atkinson looks up to his father as a guide to prepare for his future.
Atkinson wants to be a real estate agent, and he says his involvement with his dad in his early years has given him something to look up to and be inspired by. He helped Atkinson prepare for his future through his actions.
“He wants me to do what is best for me,” Atkinson said. “He encourages me to succeed in school to help me prepare for my career. He reminds me to have a back-up plan just in case.”
Atkinson’s father is a retired U.S. Army veteran. He deployed for two years in Atkinson’s early years, which left his mom to tend to Riley and his siblings. That was a sadder time in his’s life, but he said it was definitely a learning experience.
“It was pretty stressful during that time,” Atkinson said. “It was just my mom taking care of three kids and keeping up the house. My dad wasn’t even going to deploy but chose to, as it was a good way to pay for my sister’s disability needs.”
Although Riley says he struggles at times to focus in school, he knows what he needs to do to get to where he wants to be.
“He reminds me to work hard towards my goals while still doing what is best for myself,” Atkinson said. “Even as a child, spending time with him was always fun, and we loved to watch sports together.”
Atkinson said that throughout his childhood, his father has been a great example of balancing family fun with hard work.
“He can be laughing and having fun with family, but he still knows when to flip the switch and be serious,” Atkinson said. “He knows what it takes to be successful and provide for his family. He is an excellent role model for me and my whole family.”
Atkinson continues to work toward his goals every day as friends and family help him power through school.
