Journey

My name is Colin Sclerandi, and I am a cadet at Texas ChalleNGe Academy in Eagle Lake. My birth name was Cheyenne Cabrera. I was born in Beaumont, Texas but was taken away from my biological mother when I was born because she had been abusive to others in her past.

When I was two months old, a nice woman named Donna Sclerandi adopted me and gave me a good life. She supported me and set me up on the path to Jesus. When I was twelve years old, she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, and on October 27, 2017, three days before my birthday, she passed away and made it to heaven.

I was left very lost, confused, and alone. It took me a while to realize that she wouldn’t be here anymore to comfort me through my hard times. I lost my second mother.

A while later, Donna’s sister Judy adopted me and brought me to live with her in a nice house with a pool. I even had my own room, something I didn’t have before. And now, I am here at TCA, to get caught up on my education, learn some life skills, take the ASVAB test, and get on the right track for my future.

One thing that I have noticed here is something that a lot of kids my age have in common. Often when we do something, we act like it isn’t our fault and act like the victim. I admit that I am part of that as well. I’m learning here that there is no point in acting that way. It’s like the boy who cries wolf. If we actually play like we are the victim, no one will believe us if we actually are.

I’m learning a lot about myself and my future while I am here and have pondered several things. While most of us here at TCA could be considered at risk youth, we are also the future, and TCA is helping me and others to grow into that role.