Struggles come in various forms and for students with a learning disability, academic success is often a struggle. Hardaway High School senior Troy Monroe is an example of accomplishing goals when difficulties are present.
Monroe was diagnosed at an early age as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The National Institute of Mental Health lists some characteristics of the disorder as having difficulty “staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity.”
“I had just started kindergarten and my teacher saw something about me. She was like, ‘he can do the work with no problem, but this kid is all over the place,’ and I found out I was ADHD,” said Monroe.
Prior to him starting elementary school, Monroe said his mother made the decision to enroll him in Britt David Magnet Academy. Today Monroe gives credit to that program for not only identifying his learning disability early but also for igniting in him a desire to learn.
With medication and other resources, Monroe was able to excel in the classroom all the way through middle school. He attended Veterans Memorial Middle School, and when it came time to choose a high school, Monroe weighed all of his options before selecting Hardaway.
“My mom works in the district, and she knew about every high school. I heard about the IB programme at Hardaway. I 
wanted to go to Hardaway for two reasons, and the IB programme was the main one,” said Monroe smiling.
Monroe is referring to Hardaway’s International Baccalaureate Programme, one of many magnet programs offered in Muscogee County School District high schools. For Monroe, academics have long been a priority despite his learning disability, and he felt the IB programme would challenge him.
At this point, Monroe experienced a setback. Even though he tested into the magnet program and met academic requirements, apparently the IB programme wasn’t just looking for students who could make the grade.
“I didn’t always have the best conduct in middle school. I had really great grades, but I made mistakes, and the IB programme focuses on behavior as well as academics. I was told if I didn’t have any problems my freshman year, I could become part of it as a sophomore,” he said.
Although Monroe was disappointed, he didn’t give up. He decided instead to prove himself a good candidate for his sophomore year. In the meantime, he turned to the second reason he chose to attend HHS.
“Football. They had a really good year the year before I came. I love football, and I wanted to be a part of the football program here,” said Monroe.
Monroe says he probably touched a football for the first time when he was three years old. He began playing organized football at the age of six in a parks and recreation league. The 6’3” tall, 177-pound athlete has always been tall for his age, and he often played defensive end or as a receiver.
In middle school, Monroe was the starting receiver both his seventh and eighth grade years. His natural athletic talent was obvious not only on the gridiron but in soccer, basketball and track at Veterans. His last year at the school, he received the All-Sports Award for his athletic endeavors.
He discovered early on he also had a natural aptitude for mathematics. His ADHD didn’t affect his love of learning or making top grades, and he gained a reputation for being “the smart kid.”
“At first it bothered me when I got teased about getting good grades. Eventually, I learned to turn it around on them by teasing them back about not making good grades. Sometimes now someone will make a comment about a score or my grades, but usually they are kind of envious,” Monroe said smiling.
Because he wanted badly to be accepted into the IB programme his sophomore year, the energetic and outgoing teen became more disciplined. He achieved his goal and became part of the magnet program in the 10th grade. Monroe learned to manage playing two sports, basketball and football, with the expanded course work; quite a balancing act for someone with ADHD.
As he entered his junior year in 2013, Monroe decided to focus solely on football because his rigorous academic schedule made playing more than one sport complicated. With a plan in place, Monroe was all set for a great year.
Then he suffered an ankle injury that basically took him out of play for the fall football season. Instead of becoming resentful, Monroe said he focused on his studies and set his sights on spring training.
Strong, healthy, and determined, Monroe is back on the roster for the 2014 football season. He had a great spring and has earned a spot on both sides of the ball for the Hawks this fall. He will be playing his favorite position, defensive end, and also see time as a receiver.
“I love defensive end. It is a nasty position. The nastiest position. My goal is to try to get in the other guy’s head so bad that he just hates me and is focused on that, and then I can go to work on him,” said Monroe.
According to Hardaway’s head football coach Jeff Battles, the senior will be a part of the Hawks football program that will have seven returning starters for the 2014 season. Monroe’s talents on the field and his maturity will be welcome assets.
“(He) has a good work ethic that leads to him being successful at many things in football and in the class room. Troy is a bright young man. He has an ability to set a goal and continue to work toward that goal until he accomplishes it. That trait will help him in high school and for many years after,” said Battle.
That “after” has Monroe almost as excited as playing football. He practically bounces when discussing taking the field in a few weeks, and he lights up again when he talks about colleges. The Naval Academy ranks high on his list. His 3.72 Grade Point Average and athletic ability make him a good candidate for the next level, and he has plans to become a nuclear engineer in the future.
He’s come a long way to be the student-athlete he is today, and the 17-year-old is clearly comfortable with it. Whe he was walking across campus in his football uniform to have his photo taken for ITG, someone inquired about the reason for the attention.
“You must be smart, then?” the student said when he learned Monroe was being interviewed for the academic feature.
“I am,” said Monroe with a smile.
Getting to know Troy
Family: Parents, Kenya Gilmore and Troy Monroe, Sr.; three younger brothers
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite place to eat: Cheddar’s
Music he listens to: All kinds
Favorite team (college or professional): Georgia Bulldogs
Athlete he admires: DeMarcus Ware
Person he would most like to meet: The President
Favorite class: Math
Sport you don’t play but wish you did: Lacrosse. It looks really hard.
Person you most admire: My mother. She has worked so hard for everything.
Church: New Destiny
Pre-game ritual: Pray
What do you like to do in spare time: Don’t have any (has a part-time job in addition to sports and school), but if I did, I would sleep.
Best thing about attending Hardaway: The IB programme. The teachers really work hard to help you be successful.
Columbus Valley/Academic Athlete/August 2014
Troy Monroe
Hardaway High School
Columbus, GA
By Beth Welch
Photos by Jerry Christenson
Hardaway Football Athlete has a Love of Learning
