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Student Testimonial
Read this inspirational letter from a former student to learn how Stone Mountain School changed his life for the better.
Dear Staff,
I don't know if you will remember me and I don't expect you to, because I know you have all worked with thousands of youth throughout your careers. I graduated from Stone Mountain in May 2003 and had the pleasure of having all you as counselors, mentors, and teachers at some point in time I spent at SMS. I've been trying to get in touch with many of the counselors that I had at SMS for the past year or so and I was very pleased to see that the website changed and included the emails of staff members.
I have been through a lot since I graduated from SMS. I got an apartment with my sister and worked two jobs while going to high school. I forced myself to go to summer school for three straight years in order to graduate and get my diploma because I did not want to sell myself short and get a GED.
I took a year and a half off from school after getting my high school diploma to work and figure out what I wanted to do next. Although I knew I wanted to continue my education and go to college I didn't think it would ever be possible given my situation. During that year and half I got involved in the wrong crowd and was going nowhere in life and I constantly blamed it on the circumstances life had dealt me.
I moved to Richmond in 2006 after my aunt opened her home to me and gave me an opportunity to pursue my dreams of going to college. After completing five semesters at John Tyler Community College with a 4.0 GPA I got accepted into University of Colorado. I am now attending University of Colorado and pursuing a degree in Psychology. After I receive a degree in Psychology I want to get my masters degree in Wilderness Therapy at Naropa University. Also, I am currently planning on getting my certification and becoming a Wilderness First Responder.
The real reason for me writing this letter to all of you is to tell you that I cannot thank you enough for giving me my life back. Although my life quickly became even harder than it was before I came to SMS after I left SMS I survived and have succeeded because of all of you. Your institution through the great counselors, mentors, teachers, and experiences taught me so much about myself as a person and who I am. I will be the first to admit that I slipped up at times after leaving Stone Mountain due to many things but I never lost track of my goals and what all of you taught me. I know for a fact I wouldn't be the motivated and self-driven person I am today without having gone through your program and learned the lessons I live by today. You have all encouraged and inspired me to never lose sight of my hopes and dreams and your program made me realize that there is nothing I cannot accomplish if I set my mind to it.
I know how hard it was for me to go through many different schools struggling to get by and finding the right fit for me. After attending SMS I am a true believer in what your program can do for at-risk youth. This has motivated me to get my degree in psychology and wilderness therapy so I can give back and help kids that are struggling just as I was. It was hard for me at certain schools to listen to many counselors and teachers talk to me and try to understand me. I just sometimes felt like I couldn't relate with them and they didn't really know what was going on with me. I feel like I can truly relate with struggling teens because I have been there and I know how hard it can be. I believe regardless of your circumstances anyone anywhere can make a life for themselves if you commit to change, believe in your goals, and most importantly believe in yourself and that is what I want to teach. I feel I can make a difference in kids lives through my experiences and that's now what I am striving to do. Again, thank you all for giving me my life back and teaching me some of the most important lessons I'll ever need in life.
Yours Truly,
Jeremy