High school students wondering how they will be able to survive that dreaded junior year are getting first hand advice from a newly published author, and he is one of their own.
Dave Lacroix, a Westbury High School senior, wrote his book, Into the Abyss: The Eleventh Grade Experience last year when he was just 16-years-old and a junior himself.
He first dreamed of writing the book the summer before his junior year after hearing so many of his upper classmen talk about the importance, challenges and stress of junior year.
“I wanted to leave my mark on the school and guide my fellow peers,” explained Lacroix. “I wrote it so people would know Dave cared, Dave helped me.”
Starting September of his junior year, with a full load of advanced classes, he found time to write a book chronicling his junior year. He finished it at the end of the school term.
It is much more than a how-to guide on surviving junior year. The book is chock full of anecdotes and humor, including an excerpt where Lacroix enters into a dialogue with his readers challenging them to solve a Rubik’s cube type math quandary, finally musing it is “only for nerds.”
A self-described “nerd” himself, Lacroix’s book is also filled with inspiring life lessons he has obtained along the way. “I talked about the ego and how the ego could sometimes be your own worst enemy,” he says.
One of Lacroix’s biggest supporters is Westbury High School principal Manuel Arias who was thrilled to learn Lacroix had written a book. “Dave came into my office offering to give me a copy, but I told him I want to be the first person to buy the book,” said the proud principal.
Arias noted he was impressed with the new author’s writing skills, which is made even more remarkable by the fact that English isn’t even Lacroix’s first language. The Haitian born teenager didn’t speak a word of English before moving to the United States when he was 10-years-old. He first moved in Florida before he settled in Westbury.
“I love it here in Westbury. I’m really proud of my community,” proclaims Lacroix. It is this devotion to his community that drives his ambitions.
He is always searching for new ways to excel both inside the classroom and out. This includes his membership in the schools Robotics club, running both track and cross country, and one summer when he found a unique way to occupy his time. “I was bored so I decided to teach myself Greek,” says Lacroix. In his “spare time” he also holds down two jobs.
That drive and determination served him well when it came time to publish his book. Lacroix didn’t just wait for the offers to come to him. He used an unconventional method to spread the word about his book. “I made flyers and went door to door looking for investors,” said Lacroix.
With the backing of his family and community, Lacroix’s book was published on Oct. 1. Now that his book is out, Lacroix is getting words of praise from his teachers and peers alike.
“I’m very proud and impressed,” said Amy Kahn, his 10th grade English teacher.
“I really like his message of hope, if you just try you will be able to succeed,” said Westbury senior Danielle McDougall.
His next step is college. He is applying early decision to Dartmouth University to study Biomedical Engineering. Lacroix has apparently taken his own words and run with them, because just like his days on the track field, he continues to stride fast and furious towards all of his dreams. His book is available in bookstores or online at www.outskirtspress.com/intotheabyss.
