Darryl Cook of John Marshall High School
By Janeal Downs
Though it is not what defines him, salve football is a big part of Darryl Cook’s identity. All four years of high school, hospital Darryl has started on the varsity football team. While in high school some of his accomplishments as a football player include making the all-conference team for two years, buy the all-state team for one year, and the all-metro team. He also was a member of the track team for two years where he made the all-district team, all-region team, and the all-state team both years. This year, he finished 2nd in the state of Virginia in the 300 meter dash and finished with a national qualifying time in the 55m dash. “With that being said, I like to believe that I have earned the right to call myself a student-athlete,” he stated in an essay.
Not only has Darryl excelled athletically, he has also made achievements academically. Ranked number 10 in his graduating class, Darryl graduated with a 3.9 GPA. Before graduating, he even scored a 1740 on his SAT. “In my opinion, my biggest accomplishment in my academic career was ending my junior year with a 4.6 GPA,” Darryl stated. Though football, working out and taking care of his younger siblings consume his time, he has also been able to volunteer while in high school. As a member of the Leaders Club at the Northside YMCA, he was able to volunteer with rallies, awareness walks and food drives. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the National Honor Society. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music and visiting art museums.
With his success in high school sports, Darryl will go on to play football for Norfolk State University this fall. Though he aspires to play football professionally, if that does not happen he wants to become a financial advisor or financial planner. He will major in finance and minor in math. “One lesson I will take from high school will probably be to study hard,” Darryl said.
Darryl names numerous people in his family as influences for him to succeed in life. This includes his dad, both grandfathers, and his grandmother. “My dad is my best friend in a way, we talk about anything,” he said. One grandfather raised his children while working hard at a rail yard in North Carolina to make sure they had everything. His other grandfather is always happy and loves what he does. “Seeing him happy in what he really loves has helped me to just stay focused on what I want,” Darryl said. In regards to his grandmother, the older he has gotten the more he has been able to understand the lessons that she taught him and how she always looks out for him. He said these four are his biggest inspirations.
As the middle child of seven, Darryl has an older brother in the Navy, a sister who is a lawyer and another brother who is a business owner. “If I continue on the right path just as the role models ahead of me, it is almost certain that I will achieve success and plenty of it,” Darryl said. “I believe that my athletic and academic competitive mindset and willingness to not settle for anything less than the absolute best, will help me be successful in life.”
