At first I hated all the rules...

Patrick was raised by his grandmother because his birth mother was addicted to drugs. When he was two years old, his grandfather stabbed his father to death.

At twelve years old he got into trouble with the law and was sentenced to three months in a juvenile detention center. His older, married cousin went to court and asked the judge to award her custody of Patrick. Thankfully, the judge agreed. His cousins became his parents.

“At first I hated all the rules. Before I could do whatever I wanted and stay out as late as I wanted. It was hard to adjust. Then I started going to Bridgemont and playing basketball. I started to realize my new parents just wanted me to be responsible. I thought to myself - I’d rather play basketball than go to jail.”

“I love Bridgemont. No other school would do for me what Bridgemont does. If I don’t have lunch money, they give me an IOU. Teachers will work with you sometimes until 9 p.m. They really want to help me succeed.”