After the battles of puberty, Junior High and Residential Treatment, I achieved mental stability. I had completed one year of high school. This was something that many in my district at the time were not fortunate to have. Being at a new school in my home district under a new level of placement gave me the opportunity. It was a chance to make things right.

The first year was abundantly cautious as was not to rock the boat. But I experienced many challenges outside of my control that year. These challenges were the result of September 11th, 2001. They also included other mechanical issues related to the physical plant of the school and the surrounding area. These factors made the year unique.

Thankfully, I had my one and only issue that year in the three years of being at that high school. Not starting the day off right, my father came to check on me. Without having time to process, I reacted by having a profanity-laced tirade in the school office. My father took me to a room to calm me down. The home-school visitor came to see what was going on, I kicked him. My mother and my treatment team insisted that I write a letter of apology. I had to deliver it to him, which he understood and accepted. Thankfully I was not disciplined for my actions. Everyone knew when I was struggling that was the place I needed to go.

The next two year, I blended more into the mainstream. I ate lunch with my peers in the cafeteria. We rebuilt those bonds that were broken when they bullied me in Junior High. I took electives including business and computer science classes along with some drafting classes and home economics. There was an issue in one of those classes. I was permitted to finish it in the “safe” classroom. A computer and the software were provided for that purpose.

During my last year of high school, I attended work experience. I spent a half day at school. Then I had lunch with my peers who went to their jobs in the community. I spent the rest of the day at my worksite. I made many memories there too. I was even in the local paper for the one site’s anniversary. This site was an extension of the church I am now a part of today. That article was later presented to me and it brought a good feeling.

I was also asked to be a statistician for the swimming team. I would attend the meets at our school. I would also go to the meets at the schools where our team would compete. The coach was a learning support teacher. I had lunch in her classroom, which is now the school district warehouse. She followed her daughter, who went to elementary school with me. She believed in me just like the other educators. One summer, she taught me to swim in the high school pool. This was part of the district summer recreational program. She invited me to an invitational swim meet at a local university to replace the assistant coach. This was an opportunity for bonding that I will never forget.

Before graduating from high school, I received an award as part of the senior luncheon. It was for perseverance throughout my school career. This award was in memory of the swim coach’s parents. I was honored. I gave credit to the educators who helped me get through those final days. I embraced the educators who saw that I made it through my school days successfully.

There were also other instructors that believed in me on the sidelines that also knew my mother. I was blessed recently to run into them in the community and briefly share my story. It is hard to believe. It has been over two decades since I left public school. Not only did I overcome those struggles, but I have also been as successful as I am today. This level of success is not always the case in my community.

School days are different now than they used to be. They were what they were. I did many things that were different than they are today. I overcame many obstacles that seemed hard. I did it day in and day out because it was expected of me. That was just what it had to be. But in the end, it set me on the path for where I am today!