Second chance

Back in 2025, the court introduced me to Texas ChalleNGe Academy and told me that I should attend, but I was scared to go. I wasn’t sure that I could be away from home for five and a half months. I didn’t think I could follow all the rules and be away from friends and family for that long.

Even though I didn’t come in 2025, I decided to do a lot of research about the program and asked my mom a ton of questions. I learned that I could get my GED and would develop structure, something that I needed. Honestly, school wasn’t going well for me, and I thought this would be my opportunity to get a new chance in life and better myself.

The night before I came here, I asked my dad for a blessing. I felt I really needed one. Once I arrived, I was scared. I was nervous about living with 31 other females, but I tried my hardest to stay strong. And as the weeks have gone by, I know that I made the right choice.