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To him, he's his father — Sterhad the perfect ling Carter's bioexample to model logical mom abanafter. doned him when Wardell Carter he was a baby in is a general conthe hospital, he tractor, working said — has moldin a family-owned ed Sterling Carter construction into someone who company, and has is highly motivatbeen an example ed, resilient and of someone who determined not to works long hours falter when things and late nights get emotionally to provide for his difficult. eight children. But she's seen Tom Campbell glimpses of more "He was hard on me as a kid, Carter says he's accustomed to sacrificing and sees this time spent away from and is hoping his daughter as another example, working to get his Master's from Purdue while but if I could go playing basketball to provide for her future. Sterling Carter back and change can continue to anything, it develop a nurturwouldn't be that because I feel like him being hard ing side. and being my worst critic throughout my career has She's seen him interact with his nieces and nephhelped me a lot, and it's helped me be strong in dif- ews, how he can be gentle, how he was in the day he ferent aspects," Sterling Carter said. "I just feel like met his daughter, the hours he spent with her before he sacrificed and worked his butt off and still con- leaving. tinues to do it for me and my brothers and sisters to "I have no doubts. I know he's going to be a great get where we are today. He's the definition of a true dad, when he gets the understanding (of what it man, taking care of his responsibilities." takes)," she said. Wardell Carter admits he's been slow to praise, Sterling Carter has developed confidence, too, if preferring to keep his kids focused on accomplishing from nothing else, realizing how his perspective and goals and pushing for success. attitude has changed over the last 10 months. But, for a moment at least recently, he relented. He's slowly realizing life isn't about him anymore, He said he has a "very close" relationship with about how important every decision is he makes. Sterling, whom he nicknamed Sporty as a kid. "She's going to grow up and be like, 'My dad was "I will never really tell him how proud I am of him this guy.' I just want her to see her father as being a because I want to keep him going. I want to keep him perfect example of what a man should be and that's striving for better things, to be a strong pillar in so- how I've been trying to carry myself since I found ciety," Wardell Carter said. "So I never really pat him out I was going to be a father," he said. "I feel like on the back. I just tell him, 'Keep doing what you're I've been through a lot of things in my life, ups and doing, son.' … I'm proud of all (my kids), really. But downs, and I've fought through adversity. This is just Sporty, he's trying to take it to a different level. another test God is putting in front of me to see how "He's doing great, but I'm not going to leave it at I can raise a kid and raise myself and become a great that. I want him to be better. He's a great kid. I think father for her and a great role model for other young he's going to be an excellent father. I really do." fathers." j Monheimer can see how being primarily raised by 66 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 f