Success Stories
I Will Make My Life What It Is Or Isn’t ...
by Mandi Redmon
My
name is Mandi Redmon and I’m a student at Billy Ryan High School
in Denton, TX. I am a senior and 18 years old. I have been involved in
CIS for three years. Brooke Shires, my CIS Campus Manager, has helped
me with many problems and challenges and has seen me through some life-changing
decisions. Her dedication and support in helping me overcome my problems
and reach my goals will affect the rest of my life.
She has constantly helped me deal with having low self-confidence. I can actually look in the mirror and feel pretty. She helped me understand that life has a meaning and I can be whatever I want to be. I have always made good grades but without this program I would have never set future goals or even had the faith in myself to think I could reach them. Miss Shires would constantly remind me that I was worthy of success and happiness. Also, that no matter what barriers I had faced up to this point, I could achieve anything. I now walk with my head up knowing that I have accomplished so many things and will keep doing so.
At the time of initial enrollment in CIS, I quit the basketball team because I was feeling low for not making varsity. I never felt as if I had many friends nor did I feel pretty or confident in myself. I now realize that I am responsible for the way I look at myself and the world around me. I will make my life what it is or isn’t. I have grown tremendously over the last three years and a lot of it has been possible because one person took the time to help me realize my own dreams and possibilities.
I am now finishing my last year of high school. I am working at the Denton Resource Center, a job I got through Miss Shires. I lead children’s groups, Girl Scouts, and help the less fortunate children realize their own potential. I will also begin North Central Junior College in Denton this fall. I plan to get a degree in a social work field. I hope that when I graduate I will be able to pay back the favor to Miss Shires, by helping someone else like she has helped me!