Memorable Moments from the Class of 2008-2009

Having Mrs. Mandy and Mrs. Loleatha beside you and help you when you want to give up and feel like hope is gone. The teachers who believe in you and help you pass the GED tests and the other YouthBuild students that have you laughing. - Cozzetter Armsrong

The memories that I have at YouthBuild would be when Jan’s grandson came here to play his violin to us. He was 11-12 years old, but he was very good. I also had memories in Mrs. Mandy’s class with the activities that she had us do. For example, when we did a project and there were two teams, we each had $100,000 and we had to choose what we would spend the money on. It had to be an organization or the community. We couldn’t spend it on ourselves or family, so we thought of things to donate to the organization / community that really needed help. We donated and thought hard. - Ashley Bunch

My most memorable moment is my math teacher Ryan. He never ties his shoes. He is always sarcastic. He always keeps a smile on my face, and I can be having the worst day. I can not forget about my Ms. Leea. She always kept me on my toes, and I could talk to her about anything. - Markeetha Davis

Oh Wow! I remember a lot about my time at YouthBuild. I was not the type to finish anything like going back to school. This is the longest I’ve ever stuck it out, and I am proud of myself. I accomplish so much more. This place has made me a better person. I went from hanging out in the streets to doing something better with my life. I remember when we went to Dave and Buster’s. We had a lot of fun. I’ve never been there before, so it was nice. I learned how to be a team player and got along with everyone. Thank you YouthBuild Staff for helping me reach a higher goal. Thanks! - Lawrence Young

A positive memory at YouthBuild is YouthBuild itself. My reasons for saying this is because I considered myself to be blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go back to school, be able to earn my GED and pick up some extra skills along the way. Also, a big plus is we get paid to do everything, so it is more of a motivation and inspiration for me. My most memorable memory about being in this program was the process of getting in. Orientation was such a big experience.

For example, when we had to go to the retreat for the overnight. It was an eye opener and it motivated me to want to do more with my life. I guess it was the experience of doing something that I have never done before, such as hiking, fishing, canoeing and being out in the middle of nowhere. Sitting around the campfire was something new for me, and it was also heart touching because I got to do something with a bunch of strangers. I got to make a lot of new friends which was very surprising that I even went though with it cause I am not a people person. YouthBuild really made me look at my life from a different angle, and it made me want more for myself. The motivation the staff gave me was more than anyone has ever given me. Thanks YouthBuild for your encouragement and drive that has influenced me and my life. - Eloise McGowan

Out of the many YouthBuild memories that I have, I’d say the entire orientation process sticks out the most because it involved so much. From the first day seeing everyone, and meeting the new people you were possibly going to spend the next six months with to spending the rest couple weeks trying to fight for a spot in YouthBuild. All the activities and the retreat was fun and something new that I really haven’t done before. Everyone got to know each other more and see how you really were outside the school atmosphere and you really had to get up close and personal Of course the lovely teachers who could forget Mrs. Bonnie for helping with our reading and writing skills and her essays she had us write. Ms. Lo and Ms. Mandy – for guiding and pushing us to come and practice our career goals and helping us with our personal problems. An Ryan…for his wonderful sarcasm. - Carey Hinton

I remember when we were in orientation. I was doing my best to show YouthBuild staff that I wanted to stay because I deserved a chance. It was my time to meet up with one of the staff who happened to be Ms. Lo. I walked in her office nervous and scared, but at the same time confident. When Ms. Lo gave me the good news, I started to cry right in her office. I was just so happy that they saw I wanted to better myself; not just for me, but for my family’s future. - Sonia Morales

My memorable moment was when we went and stayed the night in the woods and the day we played basketball. We went hiking, and we watched a scary movie. After that, we made a bonfire and my friends and I went and sat by the fire. I also remember the fun days of building a house. I was one of the best workers. I had lots of fun the day we went to Springfield, and we marched in a parade and went to the state capitol. I really had fun. Thank you YouthBuild for many new experiences! - Tyrell Taylor

Where do I begin? I remember the first day of orientation. I was so nervous. We gradually became comfortable and couldn’t wait to get started on my future. There is no doubt in my mind that a lot of people’s favorite memories of YouthBuild were our over-night retreat. On that retreat, I experienced things I never thought I would do, such as canoeing, hiking, and trusting people I didn’t know. It opened my eyes to the wonderful people who were going to change my life with. These fantastic people wanted to achieve the same goal as I did. Also, the terrific staff that helped to make it possible. We still had Mr. Will and Ms. Tammy too. That retreat made a big difference in my life. YouthBuild in general has helped me to succeed in many ways. I know that I have nothing but a success ahead. Thank you YouthBuild…YouthBuild – Number One – Motivation – Dedication – Whose the Best? WE ARE!!! - Tenisha Cable

YouthBuild really made me look at my life from a different angle, and it made me want more for myself. The motivation the staff gave me was more than anyone has ever given me. Thanks YouthBuild for your encouragement and drive that has influenced me and my life. - Eloise McGowan

My most memorable moment in YouthBuild would be our trip home from Springfield. We were on our way home, and our bus caught a flat. I thought it would take no time to fix the flat, but it took a very long time. It was late, and it was getting dark. Everyone stayed cool, but what people don’t know is I was somewhat scared. I don’t like the dark, and it was pretty dark. I thought something crazy might happen, and at the same time it was a trip that I will never forget. It was fun and made everyone feel important. I just thank God everyone made it back to YouthBuild safely. Yeah, I was sort of scared as I have never been in a vehicle on the highway with a flat. This is one of many memories that I have from being at YouthBuild. - Yantamy White