Finding his purpose

RHS graduate working with anti-bullying group to implement program in schools

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 2/23/18

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Edric Prim says it took him a while to find his purpose in life.

A star athlete at Robertsdale High School, the Loxley native moved to California to play college football …

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Finding his purpose

RHS graduate working with anti-bullying group to implement program in schools

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Edric Prim says it took him a while to find his purpose in life.

A star athlete at Robertsdale High School, the Loxley native moved to California to play college football at L.A. Valley Junior College, “and make a better life for myself.”

Two and a half years later, he says, he got a full scholarship to play football at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan, but thanks to poor grades and bad choices, Prim says he found himself off the team and out of school.

After struggling to find his way, he was given another opportunity to finish school at the University of Dubuque in Iowa, eventually finishing with two degrees, physical education and science.

Along the way, Prim said, he had a revelation and decided, he said, to give his life over to God.

“I came to the realization that I was being selfish,” he said, “and as long as I had selfish goals I was not going to be able to succeed in life.

“I told myself that I am not here for myself, but my life had to have a bigger purpose. I asked myself the same questions that everyone asks, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why and I here?’ and I decided that I needed to be able to make a difference in the lives of those around me.”

He discovered that to find his purpose, he needed to look no further than his mother, Donna, for his inspiration.

“She is what drives me to never quit,” he said. “Growing up, she worked two jobs for very little reward just so her kids could have a better life. We owe it to our parents to step up and make a better life for ourselves that those that come after us.”

While he is still single, he says, he works hard to make himself a role model to others.

“It all starts with me,” he said. “I have young cousins who look up to me and I have to work hard every day to make myself a better role model for them and everyone around me.”

Since coming to that realization, Prim his written and self-published five books, all of which come from his experiences growing up, dealing with bullying and racism and the life skills he has learned.

His first book, “Constant Struggle That Made Me Who I Am,” published in March 2014, was followed quickly by “Trial and Error in Love,” published in April that same year.

A year later, he published “Check Your Pulse And See If Your Dream Is Still Beating,” and he published two more books just last year, “Can I Have This Dance?”, published in February, and his latest book, “Reserve The Seed,” published in September.

Since returning to Baldwin County, Prim has joined a group of 15 like-minded adults called Diversity Student and Parent Association, a program developed and founded by Kellie Watson.

Through the group, Prim said, he has been reaching out to local schools and is also hoping to reach out to local civic organizations to make his books available and to make himself available as a speaker to talk about his experiences and the challenges today’s youth are facing.

Obviously, the recent school shooting in Florida brings those issues back to the forefront with many calling for changes in the country’s gun laws, but Prim says, he feels the answers lie in looking inward, and changing focus, rather than just passing a few laws.

“I think the answers lie in giving these students focus and direction in life,” he said. “We are living in a world where children aren’t finding answers to those bigger questions and they are increasingly angry. It is our job to show them that their lives can have a purpose. We need to get back to being able to humble ourselves and focus on what matters.”

Prim said he is in the process of building a website to provide more information about the group. All of his books are available at amazon.com. More information is also available on the Diversity Student and Parent Association’s Facebook page.