My mother, Debra Haywood, is a teacher. Although she was never my teacher in class, she has had a major impact on my life. Her encouragement to strive for excellence even when situations were hard really helped me to persevere. There have been many days whereas she helped me with papers (and I don't mean write them for me) and challenged me on my thinking and performance. She has been my greatest fan academically and athletically.
-Nailah Haywood
Daughter of Teacher