User:Philthis03

Phillip Matthew Dantes(Born march 10, 1981) is an American writer, musician and philanthropist and has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Always being observant and wanting to learn about as many things as possible. An avid sports enthusiast, a lover of music and the Arts, devoted volunteer, and respected leader in his community. He is very genuine and compassionate about life and the world around him. And with an immense sense of optimism, he whole-heartedly, cares deeply about the people and the world around him.

Early life: Phil is the only son of Emma Holgado Dantes and Francisco Bascon Dantes. He and his two sisters were born in the Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago, IL. Upon the separation of their parents, Emma and the three young children moved to Long Beach, California in the Spring of 1986 to be closer to Phil’s maternal family. At the age of 7, hebegan playing sports (baseball) and joined the school band (clarinet). In the summer of 1992 the family moved to Anaheim, CA. He continued his interests in music, sports, and academics throughout his time at Katella High School. Also in that time, he was introduced to two youth military organizations. His high school Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC), and The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League based at MCAS Tustin, CA. This is where he began to grow as a young man, and a promising leader in the community. Upon graduating high school and receiving many accolades in the academic and extra-curricular fields, Phil was accepted to The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

College Life: Upon arriving at The Citadel in the Summer of 1999. He was assigned to the Band Company, where he chose the tuba as his primary instrument. Throughout his freshman “Knob” year, he eagerly accepted the harsh challenges and absorbed the many lessons the proud military college had to offer. Although his academics suffered, Phil excelled in many aspects of life at The Citadel. As it is mandatory for all cadets, he chose to be in the Marine Corps ROTC program, where he aspired to become and officer of Marines. He participated at regularly scheduled Field Training Exercises (FTX) at MCRD Perris Island. As a freshman and sophomore cadet, he became a member of the Rifle Legion, a platoon of cadets who performed exhibition rifle drill, and often made public appearances such as the annual festivities of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA. As a Junior he was promoted to Cadet Staff Sergeant, and was one of two Cadre Platoon Sergeant’s for Band Company and accepted the responsibility of executing the training and development of new freshman cadets, a responsibility that he was most passionate above all else at The Citadel. Later that year, trouble with academics, and some disciplinary incidents caused him to be demoted to private. And along with problems with tuition, was suspended from school in the spring semester of 2003, his graduating semester. Very disappointed, he moved back home began to work as an underwriter in the mortgage industry. He was able to save enough money to go back to The Citadel and complete the rest of his career as a member of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. On May 8, 2004, Phil graduated and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a 3.68 GPA and his first Dean’s List Award.

Developmental Disabilities: In the spring of his junior year, Phil began an internship within the Department of Psychology, volunteering his time and efforts for a community program called “Peer Express” which concentrated around special needs children in the local school districts of Charleston. It was geared towards the exposure and “mainstreaming” of local children with varying exceptionalities to the rest of the schools as well as the public eye. Seeing the changes he helped make in the eyes of many children had an effect that drastically changed his life. At this moment, he decided to not pursue a career in the Marine Corps, and to make an attempt at graduate school to receive another degree in Psychology. After graduation, he began working as an employment specialist. Here, he worked with adults with mental disabilities with similar goals of helping integrate adults with mental disabilities into mainstream society by helping develop social skills in public and in the workplace. After about a year, he began a new job as a behavior therapist working with young children with autism. To date, these have been the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs he has ever had. Phil has been quoted saying, “It feels good to know what your purpose in life is”.

Present Day: In order to save up money for graduate school, Phil is currently working as a Marketing Liaison for AIG American General. Although it is not a profession that he is all that familiar with, Phil still accepted the challenge and the opportunity to learn something new. Just the fact that there are areas of his culture that he is not familiar with, so grows the willingness to learn. This is something he feels that will be a part of him for the rest of his life, the quest for knowledge. Throughout the trails and tribulations so far in his life, he is still very close to his family and friends. He now resides in Huntington Beach, CA and often rides his beach cruiser down Pacific Coast Highway as a form of relaxation.