Dedrick Crocklem wants you to know his name. He’s a five-time National Boxing Champion, a three- time Junior Olympics Boxing Champion, and recently earned a bronze medal at the Boxing World Champions in Spain. He’s also preparing to graduate from Tacoma Online. Having a flexible schedule helped him pursue his dreams while earning his high school diploma.   

Here’s what Dedrick had to say. 

How has attending Tacoma Online helped you pursue competitive boxing while earning your high school diploma? 

The flexible schedule has helped me have time for training. I do my work ahead of time so I can go to competitions. I’m on Team USA and my goal is to win gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. I’m constantly travelling and focused on reaching my goals.  

I want to bring another gold medal back to Tacoma. I want to be a Tacoma legend.  

What is a challenge you've overcome? 

I was getting into fights when I was a kid, but my uncle introduced me to boxing and told me to put my energy into it instead of getting into trouble. I went and saw the boxing gym and wanted to start, but my mom told me I needed to improve my reading level first, so I read and read until she let me start training.  

How would you describe yourself in three words? 

Relentless. Determined. God-fearing.