“I wasn’t so different after all.”

I thought I was the only teenager who wanted to be different. I wasn’t interested in taking part in everything the ‘in’ crowd was doing. There were times, however, I felt so alone. Like I was the only person dealing with an issue that no one else could relate to. But I wanted to be strong. I didn’t want anyone or anything influencing my actions. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as strong as I thought.

It’s tough trying to do it alone. Especially when friends are constantly trying to influence you to do things you know are wrong. It’s like they want you down on their level, where you can be just like them, nothing better. Regrettably, I let that influence get the better of me my freshman year of high school. I wasn’t focused and I didn’t have that positive group of friends I could talk to either. Instead, I became a member of the ‘in’ crowd and let my grades suffer.

It didn’t take me long to realize that the ‘in’ crowd was pretty empty. I have to give my mom a lot of credit. She really helped me get back on track. After that, it was time for me to find a support group where I could surround myself with people I could trust and relate to. When my cousin, Whitney, told me about an organization she was involved with called On Point, I was intrigued. Whitney was a member of On Point’s teen board. She told me she enjoyed being a member of the board and associating with other like-minded teens.

As soon as I stepped into my first meeting with the teen board members, I knew this was a place for me. My fellow board members were very accepting. They shared their struggles with me. We also talked about peer pressure and walking away from friends who were bad influences. At last, I had found a group of students I could relate to—a group that would build me up, not tear me down.

With college just around the corner, I know I have several big decisions facing me. I’m so thankful I found a support system that has helped me prepare for things like this. I feel like I can handle whatever comes my way. And that’s a great feeling.

Victorious is still deciding on exactly which college she wants to attend. She has plans to become a lawyer. She is also very active and plays volleyball and softball for her school. In addition, Victorious gives back to the community by volunteering to be a camp counselor at Cumberland Youth Foundation.

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