A fun-loving 15-year-old who enjoys the company of others, Sophia studies at Ignite Christian Academy through Boise Girls Academy, a Teen Challenge recovery program in Idaho. Now in her seventh month of the program and her second semester at ICA, Sophia is studying U.S. History, English II, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Algebra II, and Web Development in the 21st Century. She tutors other students in her free time and dreams of becoming a photographer someday.
Finding Faith
My parents are the reason I'm at Boise Girls Academy (BGA). I came reluctantly, as this is a Teen Challenge recovery program and I thought I had no problems, but I'm glad I came. I've faced the problems normal teenagers face, but I took them to a level I shouldn't have. My life was consumed by depression and a drug addiction that I couldn't have beaten without God. Unfortunately, before I came to BGA, I didn't know God or want Him in my life. However, I was quickly shown that even though I forgot about Him, He didn't forget about me.
Life at BGA
Once you come to BGA, your academic credits are transferred and you start school with Ignite Christian Academy. I'm currently about half way through BGA's 15-month program. ICA's academics surprised me big time. I've gone to three high schools, and none of their academics could compare with ICA's. In those schools, I didn't really have to try. It was all sort of review. With ICA I'm actually learning and I look forward to doing so. Math comes so naturally to me and I understand everything very quickly, so Algebra II is my favorite. I also help out the other girls at BGA with their math classes.
In addition to academic studies through ICA, all students enrolled in BGA take classes called Group Studies for the New Christian (GSNC's) and Personal Studies for the New Christian (PSNC's). Every morning for an hour before we begin school through ICA, we have a class for GSNC's. We all gather in a group and work on booklets and discuss what they talk about.
Lessons Learned
Distance learning can be a challenge, but there are a few things that make it a bit easier. Number one is taking notes. Even though this is online schooling, it's still school. Taking notes and going over them will increase your grade a lot. Number two is calling in. Even on the simple questions or while prepping for a quiz, it makes all the difference. Number three is seeking help outside of school. I go to BGA, so I'm surrounded by people willing to help me at any moment. But that doesn't change the fact that if I don't want help, I don't have to have it. It's still my choice. Having someone explain things to me makes it SO much easier to understand.
A New Path
Even though while in a program I don't exactly have access to anything, I'm proud of myself for making it this far without giving up. I'll be seven months sober on May 11, and that's the longest I've been sober since I was 12 years old. I know if I can make it one day, I can make the next. My advice to you is this: never give up on the things you want because it's hard. It will get easier. After dedicating my life to Christ, I've realized I can do so much more with His help than I could ever do on my own. I'm taking life one day at a time and I couldn't be happier.
The Road Ahead
After I graduate from BGA, I'm going home and waiting a few months to start my senior year. After high school, I intend to go to a college to get degrees in business and photography. Throughout my entire life I have been obsessed with taking pictures. I have some very good cameras at home that I used all the time. It doesn't matter to me what I'm taking pictures of, I just love to do it! My number one dream is probably to move to Fallbrook, California, start my own photography business, start a family, and just live life happily.