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VIEWPOINT OF A TEXAS CHALLENGE ACADEMY CADET
When I first heard of Texas ChalleNGe Academy, I thought it was a boot camp for bad kids and that there was no way I would ever attend the program. But after my older brother, Douglas, finished the program, and I saw how much it helped him to improve, I decided I should come.
When I talked to my mom about it, she and I went to the dining room table and opened up the TCA Webpage and applied. By the time July 21 rolled around and I had to leave my family, I was ready to cry but no tears were left in my eyes. When I looked over at my mom and saw her crying, I held back the tears and told myself that I would do this for her and earn back my high school credits and make her proud.
Before coming here, I felt like a failure. I failed sixth grade and fell behind. By the time I got to ninth grade, I dropped out during the second semester and had just given up on myself before I really gave myself a chance.
And now I am here. If I am being honest, the first four weeks were just training and following orders. And while the days are really the same, getting up to do physical activity, going to show three times a day, and completing school, it is kind of refreshing. It is nice to wake up every morning without electronics and see the sunrise. It is comfortable to have a routine to get used to.
I am tired of feeling bad for myself. Those days are in the past and I now have the present and the future to look forward to. I hope when I leave here, I will continue to see the sunrises as I pursue my goal to be either a nurse or a marine biologist.
In closing, I want to thank my mom and dad and brother for supporting me while I have been here. I have learned that not all change is bad, and it sometimes depends on what you are focusing on.
