Note: The following letter is a success story however I was informed that The Daily Southerner Editor Terry Smith said he would not publish it because he didn’t get it. Dr. Johnson is a candidate for the Edgecombe County Public Schools Board of Education and this by no means is an endorsement from The DCN but posted as a success story and to also prove my point that there are many letters sent to the local white newspapers in uplifting black folks in our communities but never get published. But you can find letters written in support of whites all the time. Oh hell, I mean oh well. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher
I had a great opportunity by having the chance to attend Bridgers Alternative School. Although, many individuals wouldn’t label attending an alternative school as a “great opportunity;” I can speak highly of my experiences there. I went through quite a few obstacles and made some bad choices in life. However, I feel that I was given a second chance by attending Bridgers. I didn’t quite understand at the moment whether or not it was a good thing. So many people were making negative comments to me in regards to attending an alternative school. I started being labeled as a troubled child that failed and would never succeed. I began to believe those remarks and portrayed a rebellious way of living. However, during my time at Bridgers I met quite a few wonderful teachers and a phenomenon principal, Dr Evelyn Johnson who told me differently.
Dr. Johnson was definitely an inspiration to me. She took me under her wing and made my experiences at Bridgers more at ease and enjoyable. At times I thought she was a bit hard on me. However, when I think back to those days, I now understand that she was only pushing me to do better. She always told me that I could achieve and the world had so much to offer me. Dr Johnson believed in me so much that while attending Bridgers, she helped me get a job as an Office Assistant at The Board of Education. Her support and words of encouragement always gave me hope. Hope that there is a better world for me. Hope that I can make a choice that would benefit me instead of leading me down the wrong path.
My life is vastly different now. I attended college and received my Associate Degree in Early Childcare Education. I further continued my education and later received my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childcare Education as well. I am now a Director of a large Childcare Center as well as a Part Time GED Instructor for a local community college. I am also currently attending school to obtain my Master’s Degree in Education Management and expected to graduate in 2011. I am also the proud mother of a 5 year old, Joshua McNair.
Overall, my experience at Bridgers was definitely a stepping stone in my life. I gained a positive outlook on life and now believe in myself enough to achieve goals. My advice to other students that attend an Alternative school is for them to believe in themselves even when no one else does. Don’t let your journey on the road of life come to a halt just because you run into a barrier. Know that the struggles you go through only come to make you a stronger person. You can achieve anything that you set your mind to. If I can do it…so can you!
Krystal Glass
Formerly of Tarboro NC
Note: Obviously Terry has a problem with Dr. Johnson and must feel that she will not help push Ann Kent and Janice Davidson’s agendas.
