Student Hero Justin Black: Tackling Adversity With Opportunity

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - All students in high school mature at different rates and some have to take on broader responsibilities earlier than they should -- but that doesn't mean they're not ready for that challenge. That's been the case for Southfield High School senior, Justin Black, who has been in the foster care system since the age of nine and says he has always had to take care of himself and his brother.

"For most of my life I have done things on my own - me and my brother we depended on each other - our ourselves to get things done, so at this point it just comes natural to take care of things, to take responsibility -- so getting to school, getting to practice, it's just on me," says Justin.

And the way he does that is walking upwards of 20 minutes each way, every day -- and his football coach, Timothy Conley, says he's not surprised that Justin can juggle the landscape between being a responsible adult, and a student athlete.

"Well, Justin is first of all tough," says Conley. "And then, he's also reliable, consistent, and that just shows , for him, how to organize his time and so that he can walk to school, walk to practice, it just shows how reliable he is."

Justin, who plays both offense and defense on the football team does not have a scholarship offer to play at the next level, but that isn't stopping him from pursing his dream of become a sports journalist -- as he as been accepted to Western Michigan University and is preparing for that role as he is the current sports editor with the school's newspaper and says despite the struggles he has gone through so far in life, you've got to have faith.

"Always have faith, I am a believer in God, and through bad times, we've all be through bad times, be always have faith in, no matter the circumstances," says Justin.

Congratulations Justin Black, you're truly a student hero.