by Shacoya, Class of 2013

As of now, I am a 21-year-old mother of a beautiful 3-year-old little girl, Armani.  She means the world to me.  I’m trying to better myself, not only for me, but for her, too!  I dropped out of school in the 10th grade after I became pregnant with my daughter.  For years I thought about going back to school, but I kept using the excuse of being a mother to not go back.  To me, I was being the best mother I knew how to be by not going to school and instead taking care of my daughter.

A couple of my close family members and friends told me about YouthBuild, so I told myself that once I turned 18, I would apply.  I let 18 and 19 go by before I finally realized that I would not go anywhere in life without an education, and I wouldn’t let that opportunity slip by.  So I applied to YouthBuild, and they called me for orientation and an interview.  I was accepted to come back to Mental Toughness.  Excited would be an understatement!  I finally had something to look forward to besides having my daughter.

I made it through Mental Toughness, surprisingly.  I vowed to myself that 2013 would be my year!  I will give my daughter something positive to say about her mommy.  I may have dropped out of school, but I made it a priority to come back.  I have barriers that are trying to stop me, BUT I WILL NOT LET THEM!!

Because come August 2013, I, Shacoya, will be a YouthBuild high school graduate.