Ben’s Story Class #28, Cycle 2-06

The reason Ben decided to come to Thunderbird was because he was bored in public school. He wasn’t in trouble and attending school didn’t seem to be the problem, he went to school right up until day 1 at TYA. He just wasn’t challenged enough and did not apply himself to do the class work. When we found out that he only had 9 credits his junior year, we started looking at alternatives and decided on TYA.

My son graduated with Cycle 28 and believe me the first few weeks were AWFUL!! Awful for us and our son. I am very happy to tell you that it will get better. I got phone calls begging me to come get him. We stood our ground and reiterated that nothing at home had changed. By the time Pre-Challenge (first two weeks) was over and routine had set in, he was so glad that we did not come get him. He stayed on the Directors List the last 2-3 months he was there and he had quite a few home passes. And you know what, he was always ready to get back to his routine and his friends, which did include the sergeants.

He graduated June 30th and he was more proud of himself than I had ever seen in anything he had accomplished. Now he is in the first week of Basic Training in the Air Force (signed up for 6 years) and he was probably more ready than the grown men he went over with (he is 17). This was the best thing that has ever happened to him. I don’t have enough good things to say about Thunderbird. Good luck and God bless you and your family during these first few weeks.

~Nikki, Air Force Mom
July 2007