April 24, 2001 was aspecial day for Adam Proulx because he was going to be honored at a schoolassembly for his 4.0 grade-point average. “When my teacher first told me I wasgetting that award I was really excited,” Proulx said. “The first person Iwanted to tell was my mom.”

While Proulx wasfinishing math work just minutes before the school assembly, someone in thefront office called for him through the intercom. He was asked to bring histhings because he was going home. “I was completely shocked,” Proulx said. Whenhe walked into the office his grandpa and mom’s friend were waiting for him. “Ikept asking what was wrong, but they wouldn’t tell me.”

Proulx rememberspulling up to his house, jumping out of the car  and searching for his mother. Finally, his Aunt Kathy toldhim the news. “I couldn’t believe it,” Proulx said while holding backs tears.“I mean losing your mom is something a 9 year old should not have to gothrough.”

 Proulx had a hard time growing upwithout his father, but more so after losing his mother. Through this hardtime, though, there was one person who motivated him, his grandpa. “He wasalways there for me no matter what,” Proulx said. “I think if it wasn’t forhim, I would have just gave up.”

After his grandpapassed away when he was 13, Proulx went to live with his aunt and cousin. Eventhen, Proulx still felt alone. In his new house, he noticed odd visitorswalking in and out at all times of the day. He later discovered his aunt was adrug addict.

He accepted heraddiction until the morning he woke up to find a heroin needle on his bed.That’s when he realized he couldn’t take it.

“I was just trippingand scared,” Proulx said. “Someone was in my room and I was just confused.”Proulx told his uncle about the incident and his uncle kicked his aunt out ofthe house, leaving Proulx alone for a month.

Despite all thesehardships, Proulx has managed to become successful on and off the field. Whenhe joined the football team his freshman year, he didn’t take the sport tooseriously.

Now Proulx comes toeach practice and game with passion, the same passion that has helped him earnfirst team all league, and overcome the death of his mother.