Brooke A.'s Honored Graduate Speech


SIXTEEN months have passed, thousands of memories have been created, hundreds of relationships have been formed, and a successful future has emerged out of the darkness of impossibility. I have changed every aspect of my life and am leaving my program to begin living the dreams that have manifested into realities. Many times giving up seemed like the only option, but I am here today which goes to show that it is never the only option.

As a child I spent countless hours in my mother’s bathroom mixing her cosmetics and concocting special medicines. I would cut holes in sheets to mimic the crisp white lab coats I saw on television. My first written words were those that I would copy from my doctor coloring books. Being a “grown-up” and fulfilling my dreams seemed so far away. However, I did begin to grow up and along with my awkward teenage years came endless mistakes. I began to lose sight of my dreams and in place of them came popularity and endless trouble. That was over a year and a half ago, and I was at a point where college was not a realistic possibility for my future. Academic achievements were at the bottom of my list of values. School was simply a place to meet up with my friends and catch up on the latest gossip. Pursuing boys had replaced the time that I should have spent pursuing my dreams. However, my parents had not given up hope and they took a stand for my life.

I have spent close to 5,000 hours in school over the last 16 months. I have completed around four and a half years of schooling during this time. I was given the chance to re-take many of the courses that I was barely passing and now I am near the top of my class. I have been accepted to a four year university and I will be attending Duke University in the fall of 2006. Medical school is a definite part of my future and in 6 years I will have adopted the title of a doctor.

I look back over the past 16 months and I can’t say that I had a “normal” high school career. I didn’t have my own locker, I didn’t get go to Friday night football games, I didn’t get to dress up for spirit week, and I didn’t have a high school sweetheart. These are things that I might have shared with my children when I got older, and they might have made a huge impact on my life; however, along with those things would have come all of the deadly risks I had been taking. Now I get to look over my high school experience and say I went to my senior prom with my “program” friends and NONE of us drank. I was active in community service and my school’s image committee. I got to play various sports on a daily basis. I spent my sixteenth and seventeenth birthdays with people that cared about me and I had a blast without anything illegal. I have all A’s and B’s and I had met all of the requirements to graduate from high school at the age of sixteen.

All of these things may not have been “normal” in the eyes of my friends back home and they weren’t easy by any means, but they changed my life. That is the one most important gift that I have been given in my life... a second chance. It gave me a future which I might not have had at home. As I move on in my life I only hope that I can create the result that I have created over the past year and a half. I will never forget the people I have met and the memories that I have created, but most of all I will never forget who I have become.

Ashley F. Honored Graduate Speech

            Today is a day that I never thought I would live to see much less that I’d be the one up here giving a speech. Before my mom died I made many promises to her and the one I have used to positively drive me is that I would graduate high school. Two years ago I had the grades, but I wouldn’t have lived to see that day. I am now the first person in my family to graduate high school. I know today she is somewhere smiling with pride as she watches me, and even though I wish she could be here I am grateful that I have my parents. Since I moved in with them at 12 they have been there to support me and love me.            I believe that everyone follows a path some just have more hills and worse weather, but we all end up exactly where we belong. For all of us our high school years ended up not being quite like everyone else’s. Most of us will never have attended a Senior Prom or a Homecoming Football Game. We’ll never have a high school sweetheart. But, none of that truly matters. Lettermen jackets fade, rings lose their luster, and stories run together turning into a fairytale. For all of us we’re leaving those years behind with many lessons most people will never learn. I know who I am and what I want in my life. I stand strong in the decisions I make. I have discovered all of the stars I have hidden in my soul.
    The most powerful lesson I have learned is that I can’t change the things that have happened, I can’t take back the things I have done or the words I have spoke, but we all can move on with our present. We can use our experiences, wisdom, and honesty to make a difference in this world. The papers talk about little girls being murdered and teens shooting other teens and that’s the reality of the world we live in. It doesn’t have to be this way. If everyone of us goes out and uses what we know to inspire others that will not be the reality we leave behind. One person has the power to make a difference and I think this is the lesson I have used to shape my dreams. In the fall I begin college and I will leave there with a degree in social work. Everyone has always said that I should do something else like be a chemist but this is my contribution to the world, my way to give back to everyone, to inspire others, and to make my difference.    As we all sit here today many of us don’t know one another but I do know that we have all come very far from how we use to be. We have discovered who we really are and we have family and friends who love us unconditionally. We all have another chance and it’s up to us what we do with it. We also have another thing in common we can all sit here and be very proud of all of the hard work and time we have put in to not only graduating high school but also to graduating the program. This is an amazing accomplishment and not something many can say that they were able to do. Even with all of those days were we really wanted to give up we were able to make it through by following our hearts and knowing who we are.

Laura B. Honored Graduate Speech

Today, I stand in front of you as an official high school graduate. Granted, I never expected to be graduating with a group of people I have barely met. I know you all are thinking about the same thing. For me, though, I am proud to be standing exactly where I am today.

About a year ago, I thought I was just going to be entering my senior year. The fact I have accomplished a year-early graduation is amazing to me. Now, I have an early start on college in preparation for my career and future as a whole.

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamt of becoming a singer. Before I came to Midwest Academy, I knew what I wanted for my life, yet I was not making any goals to get to that point. One of my main struggles was my lack of confidence. Throughout the past year, I have grown within myself and gained that confidence. Not only that, but also the knowledge in how to assist others. I have always loved helping people, whether it be lending a hand or being there to listen and care. With my many experiences at Midwest, I know that I was meant to assist.

Through my experiences at the Academy, I have created a lot of lasting memories. So, this graduation is more than just any in that I am saying goodbye to the family I have formed for myself within this year. They say the years you spend in high school are supposed to be the best years of your life. Before I came to Midwest Academy, I had a difficult time believing that statement was true. Now, I believe it with all of my heart. I never thought that my high school years would be happy times, let alone life-changing.

Not only has my life changed, but also those lives around me. I have found that all who I have influenced now have a piece of me within them. All of you have that exact same effect on others. Every time someone sees something we do or hears something we say, whether they realize it or not, they learn something from it. We are now entering back into the world with a different perspective - as teachers. All that we have learned will be applied in someway and we will continue on changing lives.

As much as I have changed and grown, I know that the path in front of me is not going to be an easy one to tread. The world has not changed, yet we can still make a difference. The most important thing for all of us to do is to stay real. With temptations laid out in front of us, life is full of curve balls. In our program, we learned how to tell when they were coming and now is the time to swing. We have the power over our own lives - remember that always.

Throughout my life, friends have come and gone but my best friend remains myself. I know that as long as I keep that in my heart, I will forever succeed. For too long, I allowed myself to become distracted with life around me. Knowing how that did not work for me before, I am using it as my learning experience for the future. I expected that I would learn things from others and others would learn from me, but I never thought about learning from myself.

I know for me, part of the learning was opening myself up to new opportunities. In the past, I allowed myself to go down the former difficult path. I was so caught up in what everyone else was doing and thinking that I lost track of what I wanted. I began to distance myself from my family and instead, hurting myself physically and mentally. I became so dependent on what people thought of me that I would conform to fit what I believed those thoughts were. It got to the point where I was living about five separate lives. Learning about me assisted me in seeing that I am worth more than that.

I want to take this time to acknowledge myself. It is not very often that I take out the time to speak it out loud, yet I know all of the things that I have accomplished. Status one is a pretty tough place to be in a program and I was able to make it all the way through to graduation! We all have that enormous accomplishment to remember for the rest of out lives and a story to pass on to all generations. Each of our stories are all unique and each has a place in our own hearts as well as the hearts of those we are close to. I have those people to thank for the support they have offered.

Every time I try to thank a certain two people and tell them how much they mean to me, I get choked up. I know that I would not be standing here today, if it was not for my parents. The support that has been given to me has been more than valued and every moment I have spent with them I have cherished as never before. I also have the rest of my family here, at home, and looking down on me from above rooting for me with open arms. I cannot imagine what it would have been like without them in my family. I also want to include my Midwest Academy family. For over a year, I was offered and offered back what I saw as unconditional support. It is amazing how much potential a group of teenagers have.

We are now about to enter into the beginning of a new journey. We all have different, yet similar, plans for our futures. With that I want to encourage you all to keep the memories, the lessons, and the people of your program in your heart, always. Keep your support close to you; but above all - never stop loving yourself. We have gotten this far, so why turn back now?

March 10, 2006

Dear Staff of Midwest Academy,

It was almost one year ago that I delivered my troubled and confused son to your school.   We were at a loss as to what we could do to help Jeff, and were desperate for help.   I am so thankful that we found you!   We found in Midwest Academy not only help, but a caring group of people who loved our son and helped coach him to success.   The facility's support of his journey over the eleven months he was there far exceeded any expectation I had for Midwest!

Jeff entered Midwest with academic performance that was far below his potential.   He is now a high school graduate, with honors!   He is working full-time at an insurance agency, and will be leaving for college this fall.   These are achievements we knew that Jeff could attain, but without Midwest's guidance, Jeff was heading in a direction that would have kept him from all of these goals.  

One area for which my entire family is thankful is the impact that this program has had on ME.   I did not expect that I would receive the kind of tools and support that I have, and I am now so much more focused on how to support our reunited family!   The seminars have been incredible experiences for Jeff, and for me!

I am so happy that we committed to program graduation.   This is the first major accomplishment in Jeff's life as a young adult.   There were several times during the program where we saw major progress and it would have been easy to remove him, but by staying the course he is truly ready for his new life!

I will be forever grateful to the loving, caring staff at Midwest who helped save my son's life and helped him turn in the right direction!

Mike Z.

Father of Jeff Z.,   Graduate February 2006

Midwest Academy

It?s About Peace, Hope and Love

Peace:

It?s about the peace my husband and I felt, even though we were reluctant to admit it at first, knowing that our son was safe for the first time in a long time at Midwest Academy.  It?s about the peace we felt because we had finally made an important decision.  We had taken the first step toward saving our child?s life.   Go ahead, take a deep breath and relax.  Get used to it.



Hope:

It?s about the hope we felt in our hearts, every time our child showed respect, expressed their love, worked toward a goal, made a good choice, earned  ?A? and ?B? grades in his once neglected academic track, advanced a level, or lost a level but then picked up the pieces and started over again .  Every ray of hope adds up to a light at the end of the tunnel.



Love:

But most of all, it?s about love.  The love we have for our program child, the love that made us send him to Midwest Academy in the first place.  It?s about the love we have for the family left at home and the strong need to do whatever it took to create a whole and healthy family.  It?s about the love we have for ourselves if we didn?t have it then, we sure have it now, thanks to the seminars and the encouragement we received to work our own programs.  And it?s about the love that the Staff at Midwest Academy had for our child.  The love that allowed us to sleep at night feeling secure in the fact that our child was loved, cared for and nurtured.   They are learning to love themselves.  They are learning that they are worthy of being loved.



Our son Brian graduated from Midwest Academy in December of 2005.  We have welcomed home a son who we thought we had lost forever.  Midwest Academy and Premier Seminars have changed our lives forever.  Because of this experience, we are better people, both as individuals and as a family.  We will be forever grateful.



By Pat R

Mother of Brian G. R
Graduate of Midwest Academy, December, 2005

August 18, 2005

Dear Staff of Midwest Academy:

Fourteen months ago, we placed our daughter, Laura, in your care with complete trust. This trust came from both our despair and our hope for something better.  In our desperation, we could not have imagined the accomplishments that we have achieved today as individuals and as a family.   

With the care and guidance of your staff,  along with Laura's hard work, you have returned our daughter to us.  Without the genuine love and support that the staff has given to Laura, we could not have completed this journey.  From the administration to the family reps to those who touched Laura's life each and every day, words cannot express the giving, nurturing and love that pours out from each of you.

Laura's academic success is a part of her overall accomplishment as well.  Completing her final 2 years of high school in 12 months and achieving a 3.64 GPA is something we could not have imagined possible.  The academic advisors and teachers along with the curriculum and Laura's commitment to the goal have made all of this possible.  All of this and the opportunity that being named the valedictorian for the PC3 high school graduating class for August 2005 are a crowning achievement. 

Along with the return of our beautiful daughter, this program has also gifted us with a family relationship that we could not have imagined.  Working the program for ourselves and expecting nothing less than completion from Laura has gotten us to this place.  Fourteen months ago, we did not understand our own contribution to the family situation we had created.  With the insight offered by the program, we now can go forward and be the best we can be as individuals and as a family.

We are forever grateful for the program and the staff of Midwest!

Ed & Cathy B.

It does not take many words to sum up what Midwest Academy in Keokuk, Iowa means to our family and what it has done to basically save the life of our 16 year old daughter! It will be a 15 month period in our lives that none of us will EVER forget!!
This Program not only builds back the character in the lives of our children, but it also serves as a HUGE wake up call for Moms & Dads!!! As I stated in my Focus Seminar, this Program would be beneficial to EVERYONE in the world!!! ....... Regardless!!
Personally speaking, this past 15 months has changed my life and it has been changed for the better!!
I guess I would have to say that 'the Jury is still out' as far as the Academic aspect is concerned. My daughter will start her Junior year in high school in a couple of weeks and certainly hope that she can continue with her academic achievements when she gets back into the classroom with 25 other students.
Taylor's entire family was 100% committed to this Program and there was never any question whether we would Graduate the Program!
When Taylor realized that her family was supporting her 100% on every phase of this Program, ... she became highly motivated and the intensity level really kicked into high gear!
Again, .. this entire process can be summed up as a LIFE SAVING EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!, .... And one that NONE of our family will ever forget!!

Don G. Taylor G.

Dear Staff at Midwest Academy:                                    August 7, 2005



To be honest, I really don't know where to start.  Our son, Steve, has been in the program since February 10, 2004.  He started at Casa By the Sea in Mexico and then transferred to Midwest Academy on September 15, 2004.   We don't know where our son would be today if it weren't for the help of the very dedicated staff at Midwest Academy. At the time of sending Steve to the program, it was the hardest thing that we have done as parents but knew we were doing the right thing.  To have to send our son away from home to make a change in his life for the better, was unheard of.  We have been committed to our son's program and also committed to our program.  The staff at MWA has been very supportive and amazing.  You couldn't have told us 18 months ago we would be where we are today without the help of the staff.  We especially want to thank Mr. Donnie, Mr. Bill, Ms. Pam, Mr. Devin, Mr. Ben and the full nursing staff, to name a few, for always being there for Steve.  Everyday that went by, needless to say, we thought about and missed our son very much, but knew he was in great hands and that we didn't have to worry.  We were informed of his progress in the program and school.  Our program has helped us to take this journey together and we will never regret what we have done.  We would stress to every parent that your seminars are just as important as what your child is doing at MWA.  The seminars are fabulous.  It has changed our whole family.  Trust the program is what we were told and thank god we did.  Now it is time for Steve to graduate and come home.  We all know if there is anything that we need,  the staff at MWA will be there for us.  Good Luck to all the families that need the support at MWA.



Doug and Cheryl

We thank God for Midwest Academy!  Without the Program we do not know where our daughter would be, but we do know that none of us would be standing in the place of excellence that we are standing in today.  Academically, our daughter earned enough credits to put her ahead for her Junior year of high school.  Because of the seminars, she acquired life skills and tools she will be able to utilize in resisting the trouble she found before the Program. She can now stand for her own life in all situations.  We participated fully in the parent seminars, and our parent program thrived because of it.  The seminars are vital to families who want to create lasting change.  When we began the Program, we committed to completion.  Our daughter knew her ticket home was Program graduation.  Our commitment was one way we could show her that we were standing for her life and her excellence.  She rose to the challenge.  We feel that one of the most important things parents can do is support their child as he/she makes accomplishments in the Program.  Our daughter responded to us as we gave her encouragement.  And at the end of it all, we're proud to say that we've got a Midwest Academy Graduate, and a whole and healthy family. 

Robert and Amanda Fenchak

Daughter Jade Fenchak

Graduate, August 2005

Dear Staff of Midwest Academy,

            Our daughter, Erin V. joined your family on March 27th, 2004.   It was the decision that changed our life forever.   We were terrified.   How do you come up with enough courage to send your daughter to a school out of state, not be able to talk to or see her and still realize she is in the best of care?

            Erin is where she needs to be at this time of her life.   She is a scared little girl right now-but she is safe and well cared for.   We thank you for taking our child and helping us to make her realize she is a beautiful, intelligent person.   If our dear daughter was not in your hands at this time of her life, we dare not think of where she could have been in a few years.

            Thank you for all that you do for her.

Linda and Don V. 

May 16, 2004

Dear People at Midwest Academy,

Thank you for being there when our family was in such crisis.   Your program has brought our son "back to us," with a turn around in his attitude I could hardly imagine in my wildest dreams. Thank you for being there for us as parents, too.   Helping us to see how our part can fit better into a happy, healthy family.

We also hope that the rest of our journey can be as successful and rewarding and look forward to our continuing relationship.

Yours Sincerely,

Kathryn M.

To the Staff at Midwest Academy,

            I would like to take a few minutes to say thank you for all the hard work and guidance you provided for my son Victor along with the support and understanding to my husband and I .Deciding to make a change and enroll Victor was a group decision and I'm grateful for that.   Thank you Mike Holker for keeping us updated in Victor's progress.   Thank you for all your patience and answering all our questions.   Looking forward to continuing to work together as a team to achieve our goals and have Victor graduate.

Sincerely,

Veronica M.

A year later........

A year ago today Kipp and I and Klay drove the 3 hour drive to a place called Midwest Academy.

Kipp drove, I cried, Klay slept. I knew in my heart we were doing the right thing, but it still hurt.

I walked into MWA knowing I would find something I didn't like about it. Well I didn't, the staff was absolutely wonderful, they welcomed us with open arms. Kipp and I were given a tour while they took inventory of Klay's things. As I walked through I remembered thinking "how long will this take?"

We returned to the parent room to say our good-bye's. I will never forget the words my 13 year-old said to me "let go Mom and let me get better". I did not want to let go but I knew if I didn't I was going to lose him forever. So I did what he asked I "let go and to let God". Kipp & I turned and left. That was the longest 3 hour drive I had ever taken. I remembered telling Kipp our next step was a seminar called "Discovery". I didn't know what it was but I was going no matter what. Well it was awesome, we left Discovery and told each other we are running to Focus not walking. Again Awesome. We are now about to attend our 4th Keys.

This journey has been a blessing. I have my son back. He is making his own choices and learning to love life. I have a wonderful marriage and a beautiful daughter that I have been able to be a Mother to. Sooo many new friends.

I had someone ask me would I change anything from a year ago today. My response is "no there are no accidents" I have my life back and my family is wonderful and we are going to "live" each day to the fullest.

We will go the Distance..............

Wanted to share.

Love & Hugs,

Kelly

10/2/2005

Dear Staff at Midwest Academy,

            I write this letter as I graduate Focus to let you know how important you are in my life.   You have taken my son Daniel's life into your hands and are saving it.   Words cannot express my gratitude for all your work and dedication to him and all the students in your card.   I know, without a doubt, that if it were not for you and your care of him, he would have been dead or close to it.   I trust in this program and the process he is going through with your guidance.   I know that, with your loving care of him, he will emerge on the other side, at PCIII=graduation, as the young man he was always meant to be.   He will make it there to fulfill his potential because there are people such as you who care enough about the lives of others to dedicate yourselves to them and their program.   I thank you from the bottom of my heart.   You are an inspiration to me and others.   You have saved Daniel's life and mind.   May God Bless you always.

Sincerely,

Gloria C.

10/2/2005

To the Staff at Midwest Academy,

         We would like to acknowledge how much it has meant to us to know Greg is in a safe and loving environment.   We understand how difficult he can be.   When the walls come down we hope the old Greg will be introduced to you.   The calmness in our house is wonderful; the cell phone not ringing all the time is calming.   We are getting our lives back into good shape along with our bodies and mind.   If it wasn't for all of you and what wonderful commitment you all have, I really do not know what would have become of Greg.   Thank you all from the very bottom of our hearts.   4's to all of you.