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What Boys Town’s Class of 2008 Said to Each Other Before Parting Ways
Just before graduation, the Class of 2008 seniors met and talked about what it meant to be at Boys Town and how each was helped by the others. We share this with you because it’s important to see how our Boys Town family works to help one an
other get better – from staff to fellow students.
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| -Carmen |
I came here to commit suicide. My life was going nowhere. I had been in about 11, 12 or 13 placements so I wanted to run away to Boys Town and end my life here. It was only Ross and Penny who are sitting here who talked me out of it and said life was worthwhile. I want to thank them. I owe them my very life itself. |
| -Michael |
When I came, I was doing drugs so badly I trusted nobody and I mean, trusted nobody. It was only because of Father Eugene through his Living Without Chemicals class and Carla, Rachel and Michael that I started on the road of sobriety. They talked me out of running away. They talked me out of doing drugs. They talked me out of being stupid. I owe them my sobriety. |
| -Betty |
When I came, I was going to prove to everyone how tough I was. I had lived on the streets, lived with a gangster and nobody messed with me. I had come out of a home with a crazoid mom. What I was trying to prove to people was that I could be a street person. Well, I could, but I knew it was not myself. When I came here, you, my classmates, slowly but surely, helped me realize I had to find myself and be myself. When I did, I started to find happiness. |
| -Bailey |
When I came here, I was a girl who knew absolutely everything and looked down on other boys and girls here. I was better than the rest of you. That’s what I thought. Wow, did I learn something. The first thing I learned is that we are brothers and sisters and I am sure not better than you. In many ways, I am lesser than you. Thank you for teaching me that. |
| -Sheila |
When I came, I was heavily into alcohol. My home wasn’t a home; it was a war zone. So when I came here I thought it was just another placement. I faked it, faked it a lot, faked it continually, faked it over and over again. I would end up in Respite and people like Father Peter and others there would tell me I was faking it and I would never be happy. I thought they were really dumb. Sooner or later, I found out that they were right. Thank you Boys Town. |
| -Shawn |
I lived on the streets. I ended up in DCYC and the judge sent me to Boys Town. I fought it. I hated it. My goal here was to fail every day and I was quite successful at it. I used to complain to my roommate because he was trying to be successful. He kept telling me what a fool I was and I finally figured out he might be right. Guess what? He was. |
| -George |
I came from a wealthy family. I was richer, smarter and better in every way than any of you here. And then I discovered that was all a lie that I wasn’t better than any of you here, that you are true friends. I can’t explain it to my family. They still think they are better than us. |
| -Kevin |
My mom is an alcoholic. She had a new man every day, anyone to buy booze for her. It hurt me as a little girl; hurt me more than I can say. My Family-Teachers were the first parents I ever had. I will never forget them. They did everything to bring me the love and affection I never had. |
| -Reagan |
I had no self-respect when I came and here, much to my surprise, nobody gave up on me. I was here to fail. I was suffering from generational abuse, grandparents and parents. I was never in school. I never did anything worthwhile. I was useless and worthless. You taught me just the opposite. Thank you. |
-Ramond |
