Editor’s note: This is part 1 of a four-part Education Foundation series that shares stories about STRIVE, which celebrates Sarasota County students who have overcome significant challenges to succeed.
Preston Rowland’s life was not headed in a good direction. The youngest of five children, by middle school he felt a bit stranded and began spending time with a rough crowd – friends who were stealing, smoking weed, and treating others poorly.
At home, Preston heard a very different message. His father, a Navy man, had always set a high standard, telling him that the military would “set you up for life and with brotherhood.”…