A True American Citizen: The Story of Derrick Nelson

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This past Monday, I was sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch when I received an unexpected phone call from one of my friends from high school. It was during this conversation I received the saddening news that my high school prinicple Dr. Derrick Nelson passed away at the age of 44. He died after he donated bone marrow to a 14 year old boy in France who needed it. I was hearbroken to hear that one of my great role models and leaders in high school was no longer with us.

In my expository writing class called Citizens, we have read and discussed about the values of American citizenship and what it truly means to be a good citizen. In my opinion, Dr. Derrick Nelson epitiomized the meaning of citizenship by the way he lived his life.

Derrick Nelson honorably served in the Army Reserves for 20 years and was ranked a Sergent First Class. He was been deployed numerous times to foreign countries such as Afghanistan during his career in the military. His selfless  and honorabe service to demonstrates one of the most noble ways any citizen can contribute to their country.

In addition to his military service, he worked as either a teacer or assisant principal in Plainfield, Orange and Westfield public schools. Dr. Nelson become the offical principal of Westfield High School my sophomore year. As prinicpal of Westfield High School, I can tell you that he was not one of those administrators that sat in his office all day and did nothing. 

He helped establish many new programs and extracurricular activites during his tenure in the Westfield School. He most notibilty created the Westfield-Plainfield Connection which brought together students and teachers from both school disricts in order to build commradery between the two communities. For all of you who are unfamiliar with the social and ethnic dynamics of the two towns, Plainfield is a poor and primarily African American while also Westfield is prodominately an affleunt  white town. This program reflects Dr.Nelson's sincere devotion to always help others, regardless of their race or economic background.

When you put all of his accomplishments aside, Dr. Nelson was simply a good man. His smile was infectious and his leadership inspired his students. New Jersey Govenor Michael Murhpy has ordered all state flags to flown at half-mast on Monday to honor his life and legacy.

For all of you who say that one person cannot make a difference, the life of Dr. Derrick Nelson proves otherwise. If more citizens dedicate their lives to helping the people around them, our communities, states and country will become a better place. 


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