Samantha can choose to tell you or, more likely, not to tell you WHY she was sent to ALE. That is her prerogative and her business. I will respect that.
I will tell you what she expressed to me while at ALE - what she learned from this experience. (We've talked a lot about this stuff lately....) Samantha learned that mistakes can be learning experiences and not everyone chooses to see them that way. Some get mad and bitter and hard. Some learn and accept and progress. She has learned that people are people and judgments are necessary to a point, but, detrimental when made too quickly. She has learned that being different is a good thing and making your own way in high school (or in life) can be tricky. Samantha has learned who stood by her and who talked about her while her back was turned. She learned the true meaning of friendship and family. She found support from those who truly love her and abandonment from some she thought would help her. (That was hard to watch.) Even the clothes changed her. Our once label conscious teenager is now firmly on the side of school uniforms. She says she felt no pressure to have that cute scarf or cool jeans. School is a place to learn, not a fashion show or a way for the rich kids to show off.
Samantha is a strong young lady. She knows her mind and she speaks her mind. This ALE experience has been hard on our whole family, but, on the last day, I can say, for myself, that I believe Samantha is even stronger. She is more resolute about her future and she is equipped to handle what comes her way. I am proud of her. Very proud.
1 screams from the fans...:
I love it when people tell it like it really is. :). Good job to Samantha on getting through it and learning the hard lessons. And I completely agree about school uniforms! How can we make this happen?!
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