Dewayne Lewis says a turning point in his life came when his older brother passed away.

"It was harder on my parents than it was on me," said Lewis, whose brother died in March 2004 from lupus vulgaris, a rare form of tuberculosis of the skin.

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"I'm the oldest now, so I have to come with it."

It wouldn't be the only tragedy the Karnack High School senior would have to contend.

Two years later, his mother became physically and mentally disabled after suffering a brain tumor. It's one reason why Lewis works so hard in school.

"I don't want my mother to have to even lift a finger," said Lewis. "And if I've got to die for that to happen, so be it, but that's what I want for my mom."

Lewis hasn't let his family's struggles hinder him from doing what he does best: succeed.

"If there's something that I haven't done and I think that I can do it, I'll do it," said the 18-year-old senior. "Even if I think I can't, most of the time I go and try."

Born in Shreveport, La., Lewis has lived in Karnack most of his life, only spending about three years in Marshall as a young teen.

Lewis said most of his family resides in Karnack.

"It's almost like a family tradition, and I really didn't want to break the family tradition," said Lewis.

"So that's really why I came back," he added. "I didn't feel pressured. I wanted to come on my own free will."

The Karnack senior has kept busy in school, starring as a power forward on the school's varsity basketball team. He also throws the shotput and discus for the track and field team.

Lewis said he has high hopes for his basketball team. "We got a pretty good team this year. We're going to do well," he said.

"I know for a fact that we're making it to the playoffs. We can do it. I know it."

Lewis also serves as the Student Council president. His job mainly entails working with students and staff members.

"For me, it's to keep everything in order," he said.

"My job is to keep it all steady."

Lewis hopes to attend Texas Wesleyan University or Texas Southern University to study pre-law.

His goal is to "try to be the next Johnnie Cochran.

"It's easier to make a change in law," Lewis said. "I just want to be the best lawyer I can be."

Lewis is an A and B honor roll student and hopes to become valedictorian.

The Karnack senior also does work in the community, assisting in community outreach projects with his church.

"Just keep pushing," Lewis advised other seniors. "You've been working this hard for the diploma, you might as well go and get it."