QUANISHA GUTHRIE, 2008 Graduate
| Watch Video Looking into the future, I see myself being a pediatric registered nurse so I can help kids in need. I can also see myself giving back to the community by doing things that CYD did for me. Like looking out for kids, making sure they are at the right point in their life, and making sure they will become better, talented and young inspirational kids of the future. |
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| The early years of school were rough for me. I struggled with behavior problems and had a bad attitude towards my family. I seemed to always be depressed and believed that I had no friends. It took years before I finally understood the issues and found the will to change and accept the new me. It took my family to keep believing in me in order to change. | |
| At the beginning of middle school, I thought I was on the right track until something went wrong. I was trying to get my life together, but trouble seemed to find me. Not only did I face problems with adults, but I was not taking anything from kids of my age either. I thought that I was the big bad wolf and that no one could tell me what to do. One of my teachers put another student in charge and I decided not to play by the rules. I wanted to be my own boss, and that situation went farther than it should have. No matter how much I tried to run and hide, that trouble made a way to find me. | |
| I can point to one person who has helped me change into the talented and successful person that I am today. Someone who is a lot like me, my wonderful Aunt Shanay. When Shanay became more mature and started talking to me, I started to change. Before it felt like she was always criticizing me, but then I realized that she only wanted me to be better than I was. One of the best things Shanay did for me was to introduce me to CYD. |  |
| I was not always a part of CYD, but I was always treated like family. It started off with Shanay inviting me on a trip that they were going on. On that trip, I never felt like an outcast. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the CYD family, but I never expressed those feelings to anyone. After Shanay graduated from high school and CYD, she knew that she wanted me to have the help and experience that she received. It’s funny because I never told her what I had wanted, I only bragged about how much fun I was having. At the start of my senior year, she called me with the good news that I could be a part of CYD. I was more motivated than ever because I knew with the help of my family, Shanay, and CYD, I was going to make it. | |
| While being in CYD, I learned that there is always someone to lean on. The people were so friendly, the trips were educational, and the activities were so fun. They have helped me through any issues that have come up. I made eternal friends that I know will be here for me, people who I can fall back on and vice versa. I also met business people who I still keep in touch with like Ms. Erica who I now work for at Kroger. CYD is exactly what the name means: a place where people like myself could create and establish their dreams. It has helped me create a road to success. Love is always in the air at CYD. | |
| In conclusion, I would just like to say thank you to both of my moms and dads for raising me, the young adult that stands before you today. This young adult that is not scared to keep looking forward and leave the past behind. Thank you, Aunt Shanay, for being the path that I constantly follow. You have taught me not to be just like you, but to learn, take chances, and make smarter decisions. Thank you, CYD, for taking me in as one of your own. Thank you family, friends and guests for taking this small journey through my life. And lastly, but not least, thank you, God, for putting me here to experience this first hand. He has truly been a blessing in my life. My journey has only just begun! Watch Video | |
