Mervyn Wool is an inspirational young man because he overcame the troubles that put him on the streets, and into San Francisco's juvenile hall. He was only fifteen when he was locked up, and remained there until he was transferred to California's Youth Authority (CYA).

It was in Juvenile Hall where he discovered his passion for writing. He spent the lonely hours in his cell writing poems and essays for The Beat Within, an organization that publishes Juvenile Hall inmates' pieces in a monthly publication. After he was released from CYA, he was given a job at The Beat Within, which is where he works today. He currently attends San Francisco State University, and plans to get a professional job once he is out of college.

I find teenagers who overcome severe troubles and turn their lives around on their own as extremely heroic. I've always admired the teenagers who endured a rough childhood but realized their potential and strived to succeed. Mervyn discovered his talent as a writer, and realized that he had many better places to be than juvenile hall. Thus, Mervyn began to pave his road to success.

Because of his determination to turn his life around and create a life of oppurtunities and success, Mervyn is my hero!

To find out more about The Beat Within, visit their web site at http://www.thebeatwithin.org.