Nateisha Wingfield
Communities In Schools of Atlanta
12th Grade Student
Westlake High School
Winner: Written Expression
CIS Westlake High School is more than a dropout prevention program for students struggling with their academics, behavior or attendance. It’s a life changing experience that I would never have encountered had Dr. Warren not come into my life. Transitioning from middle to high school brought on much stress and insecurities with the passing of my brother and my father leaving home. I hated everyone and everything, including school. In middle school I was known as the trouble maker I was the biggest (literally) and the baddest girl at school.
Nobody liked me. But that changed in ninth grade with tons of students bigger and even badder than me. I found myself in the middle of something all the time. I had numerous school suspensions for fighting, cutting class, unexcused absences, and excessive tardies. I knew I had to make some changes and fast.
Since elementary school I have struggled with low self-esteem, not feeling or thinking that I was pretty or smart enough. To make matters worse, I was overweight, which made me that girl who was always overlooked or left out.
Now I’m a senior and can’t help but think about that safety net that was always there to catch me. At the end of my freshman year, I was in desperate need of something or someone to help me get back on track emotionally and academically. I failed several classes and was in danger of not getting promoted. That’s when CIS came into my life to catch me.
The first catch involved a heart-to-heart talk about self-love. Dr. Warren shared with me this chant: “I love myself, I’m proud of myself; I believe in myself; I’m a genius.” I still say that when I’m feeling down.
The second catch, I was fighting, skipping class, and failing several classes, and my home life was chaotic because I was dealing with a serious medical condition. Out of nowhere the net came to catch me. I am so grateful to CIS for our weekly girl talk sessions, the tutorial assistance and helping my teachers understand my medical condition.
The third catch it seemed that everything was going well until my junior year when I found myself failing classes miserably. I was called to the CIS office only to be reminded by Dr. Warren that “Failure is not an option.” And “you will graduate in four years.”
Those strong words still resonate deeply in my heart. That day my study habits changed drastically. I stayed after school, arrived to school and class on time, and worked hard at home because I was determined walk across that stage on graduation day.
My final catch occurred last week when I met with my counselor and Dr. Warren. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing: “Congratulations, Nateisha! You are on track to graduate in May!” Through my blame, shame, and pain I can truly say that I made it. I laugh when I think about my teachers telling me and my mother that I would never amount to anything or graduate from high school. I guess they did not know that I was destined for greatness. Thanks to CIS for wrapping me in love, with caring heart and a place to grow and learn for girls just like me. Thank you, Dr. Warren for providing me my “safety net” before I fell.