I was a cadet in class 6. I am now 20 years old, I want to thank everyone at the Academy for everything they did for me. When I was 17 I was in the 8th grade and about to be expelled from yet another school, when the school resource officer told me about FLYCA. At first I saw it as a chance to get away from my parents and graduate faster, we were not getting along at the time and when I was told I was going to get expelled I was just going to drop out. When the officer told my parents about it they agreed I needed to go.
I didn't think it would be anything like it turned out to be. I got to experience so much while I was there that I never would have got to do in a regular school. While I was there a few of my old friends would write me and tell me that they were out having fun getting high or drunk and I would think "why did I ever think that was fun? I'm here I'm learning drill going to BBQ's, going down a repel tower, that's real fun!" After I graduated I burned a lot of bridges with my old friends, I didn't want to be like them anymore, I knew they would only lead me back to my old life and I didn't want that life anymore.
After a few months of working and saving money I moved out on my own and had to make the transition to being a responsible adult. This was not easy for me at all. I was in the right state of mind to do it. I just didn't realize how different being a teenager in high school was compared to being a real adult. I had to change how I dressed so people would take me seriously and not take advantage of me because I was young. I couldn't wear heavy makeup, have a lot of piercing, or have purple hairïŠ. That change alone was the hardest for me, for so long that was who I was.
I started choosing friends that had similar goals to me and started getting more active in volunteer work. Something I loved to do while at FLYCA and something that made me a more compassionate person. I moved to PA about a year ago and now work for a great company as a A&E Coordinator (soon to be manager).I have a lot of goals ahead of me but also many I have accomplished. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't have attended FLYCA. I would have dropped out of school, got kicked out of my parents house and probably moved in with a guy because he would support me and I'd just hang out with my friends that were doing the same thing and getting high. This is not a life I care to lead and it's because of the caring staff t FLYCA that I am not living that life. I can tell that no matter how hard the cadre pushed us it was because they cared.
Being a Cadre is defiantly a labor of love and I would like all of them to know that the work they do is truly for a good cause and it is appreciated. Could you please relay this message to everyone on the team today so that they know how they are making a difference in the lives of many.
Thank you all!
Grateful Cadet Class 6