Michael Mercado:
CLASS OF 1993
Cape Coral High SchoolClass of 1993
Cape coral, FL
University of Central FloridaClass of 1999
Orlando, FL
Edison Community CollegeClass of 1996
Ft. myers, FL
David A. Stein Middle School 141Class of 1989
Bronx, NY
Bronx Public School 26Class of 1986
Bronx, NY
Michael's Story
Life
Where I am right now, that would be in the hot desert of Balad, Iraq. I am working as a DOD contractor for a company called TAMSCO as a Network Analyst/Network Administrator for Army Material Command (AMC). I have been here since November 2003 and most likely will not be going home for good until May 2007. I am staying over here until I finish my Masters in Information Assurance from the University of Maryland.
The two most asked questions from family and friends:
1 - How is it out here in the middle of a War?
Other then dodging deadly mortars it is not too bad at all. Life is simple out here I live where I work, get fed for free, get my laundry done for free, and I have been able to travel throughout Europe and in September I am heading to Asia. At the base I am at, we have a movie theater, in door and outdoor swimming pool, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Burger King so it is sort of like home, ok well not really but its better then I thought it was going to be.
2 - What the hell am I doing out here?
I could say for the love of my country which is true but the real reason is a good salary and I am getting a Master degree so a couple years of sacrifice after ten or more years of partying is a small price to pay.
I am currently single as you can imagine being in Iraq. IÂve had long relationships and was going to get married to my girlfriend of four years in Orlando but she was much younger and never grew into the women I always thought I would be with for life. I am very ambitious and driven and will do whatever it takes to be successful and I finally realized it was not meant to be. So I came out here to start again but Iraq has changed me so when I get home its time to settle down, with who I donÂt know but I have completed what I wanted to become so it is time to commit myself to the right women.
Here is a little bit of what happened to me since graduating Cape Coral High in 1993.
In the fall of 1993, I went to Edison Community College while working and got my Associates degree in 1996.
In 1996, I moved to Orlando and went to University of Central Florida (UCF), where I finally decided to get a Bachelors degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) and I graduated in 1999. I also am a founding Brother of the schools chapter of a Latin Fraternity, which is called Lambda Theta Phi Inc.
Since 1999, I have worked a couple of jobs as a Systems Analyst and Network Administrator. I also went back to Fort Myers in 2002 while going to Florida Atlantic Unive...Expand for more
rsity and received my MCSE Certification. I then got out of there once again and moved to Tampa before heading out to Iraq.
School
Looking back at my high school years now, it seems strange how things used to be. I came to Cape Coral from Bronx, New York where life was so different. I do not think I really truly fit in during high school. Not that I was unhappy because high school was fun but just different. I guess being Puerto Rican, wearing baggy Hip Hop clothes, and playing handball after school everyday just made me different then the rest, but I was fine with that. I was just being me, which is a shy city kid, in small suburban Cape Coral.
Cape Coral High to me in those days was weird. Not that anyone was racist to me but there were just clicks that I felt kept us separated. There were the jocks and cheerleaders, the heavy metal kids, the prep kids, the Latin click, you get the point. I had friends in all the groups really but out of school things were different.
I remember dating or messing with girls who would not give me the time of day in school but after school that would change. It was sort of like in school you were suppose to stay with your click but out of school on the down low, it was exciting and acceptable.
I did not mind it; really it was somewhat funny. Many thought I was conceited but that was not the case I was simply to shy for my own good as I am now. Once I knew you, it was different but like I said, I never felt very comfortable during those years but I still have great memories.
Edison Community College was like 13th grade it was cool and I have good memories as well. I was a manager at Cobb Movie Theater and later I was a manger at Famous Footwear in North Fort Myers Merchants Crossing that is why it took me so long to leave Lee County. I had my friends and was making good money for a kid my age during those times.
College
The college years where the best years of my life. You know sex and partying every night! I had a great time being in a fraternity traveling throughout the country visiting other fraternity chapters. Sleeping in my car or waking up with a total stranger.
I had house parties, went to the best raves, hit the bars and clubs. I did so many keg stands and drink so much beer I am surprised I still have brain cells! Life was good but then it was time to grow up I think. That is still something I am growing into, I guess I have always been a bit behind in growing up but Iraq has certainly done it for me.
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