Never forget

My name is Mercedes Mae Erickson. I am sixteen years old and have been a part of Texas ChalleNGe Academy for four months. When I first came here, I had a mix of emotions. I was scared, but excited and ready.

I was ready to restart my life and get away from everything back at home and let go of everything that was holding me back from achieving my goals.

While I can see an improvement in my life with some things, one thing that I still struggle with is shutting my mouth and minding my own business. The good thing about TCA is that there is a support system here, so when my mouth starts to slip up, there’s always someone to guide me.

Another thing that I still struggle with is my family. Realizing that everything back at home is still the same is disheartening. Communication is not always the best when you have to rely on letters or phone calls once a week.

Being in this program, though, really helps when dealing with these situations. My case manager, Ms. Frazier, my TLs, and my teachers always push me to try harder and to do better. This program has blessed me with the opportunity to graduate at 16 and achieve that goal that I had set for myself.

It seems that behind every complication here, there is a silver lining, whether it’s being reminded every day that everything we go through and every choice we make builds character or simply watching my TCA sisters achieve their goals. For me, one silver lining is remembering that I have come so far and grown so much.

I have never really loved myself before. Now I know how to do that. Something that TL Beasly told me is, “Acknowledge everything that has happened. Forgive yourself and others.”

In the end I am a stronger person than I was when I first came here, and I always will be. Now I am ready to move on in life and am ready to join the U.S. Army when I turn seventeen.