A Letter from a Metro Alumna

Letter from Lapree, graduating senior at Metro for girls

Hi, my name is Lapree, a teaching assistant at Metro this summer. "Fight for your life because no one will do it for you," is my motto today. People see me in the halls or outside walking to the bus with a smile on my face and have no idea that I wasn't always happy like this. I grew up in a place where you had no opportunities. I lived in a bad neighborhood and I always had a bad attitude. I never saw or even looked towards the bright side of life.

I lived in an apartment with my mother. Every Mother's and Father's Day, I told her thanks for all she had done for me.  I remember she was really nice and had an unstoppable smile. (I think that's where I get it from.) She was always sick -- in and out of the hospital. Some days I stayed in the hospital with her because no one could watch me at the time.  

The summer before 8th grade graduation was when my mother passed away.  She had lupus and her kidneys gave out on her. That's when everything in my life changed. Upon entering 8th grade, I didn't really care about myself, my values, nor my education. I got into fights at school and got suspended for them. I got into fights not because I hated the girls but because I hated my life.  

After graduation, my aunt told me about Metro. I'm not going to lie. I didn't want to go at first, but something told me it might be good for me. Once I came, I didn't know what to think; I felt like I was just here and getting through life. But gradually, I started opening up. I think that was in part due to meeting all the great advisors, tutors, and friends at Metro. 

Coming to Metro has helped me learn things about myself that I forgot. I've learned to be nice to others but not to be naive. I've learned how to make good choices and to not feel guilty for saying no, and the list goes on. As I look at my life now, I see I've come a long way, but as I look towards my future, I see that I have a long way to go.  Everything I've been through in my life has helped me in different ways. Coming to Metro really changed my perspective on things. I see all of the advisors and tutors at Metro as big sisters I've never had.  I strongly believe that all my Metro friends and I have a bond that can never be broken.  

With the help of Metro, I've recently received a scholarship of $10,000, which I was able to put towards my college education.  I've graduated from McAuley High School in May, and I'm attending Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. I can't believe how everything is ending. I will take every piece of Metro with me and spread it among many others!

Thanks, 

Lapree

(Lapree has a career goal of becoming a nurse, in order to help others in medical settings like others have done for her own mother.)