John Deterding isn't an ordinary college student, nor is his story.

Adopted by a white family, Deterding, who is Black, grew up in Wellsville, Kan. The town's population is 1,737 - 98 percent of it is Caucasian.

Besides having faced racial differences, Deterding also has cerebral palsy, which causes him to have to use a wheelchair most of the time.

"Standing out for me is no problem whatsoever, but the fact that I have the demographic differences and I'm willing to be noticed, being in college gives me the chances to show my talents," Deterding said.

Deterding, junior in engineering, is a Christian rapper and has performed in multiple events on campus, including the 2010 K-State Idol.

Deterding said he believes living in Manhattan has created new opportunities for him. Though his rap promotes a postive message, he said his hometown was not always open-minded about his musical style.

"I already have the outgoing personality," he said. "Being in college and having all the opportunities to use it has developed my talents, whereas if I'd have stayed in the town I was in, I'd have had no chances to perform my rap.

"I feel like grew up in Podunk, USA, because people were like, "What is rap music?'"

When he finished high school, K-State was Deterding's choice, though other options presented themselves after he received his ACT score.

"I ended up doing pretty well on my ACT and got a 31, so I got letters from a lot of places," he said. "Some saying ‘You're good at math, you should come here,' from Ivy League schools, but I didn't feel like going that far away from home."

While the college life is more difficult for Deterding, he said he receives help from Disability Support Services on campus. He said he is in contact with DSS at least once a week.

"I have the right resourses to ask through Disability Services," Deterding said. "I've heard a lot of good things about the future of accessibility on campus too."