Mariah Jackson

July 10, 2009

Hello, my name is Mariah Jackson. I am a graduate of Holmes Middle School and have been in the program since 6th grade. I am now about to be a junior in high school and I don’t think I would be where I am today if it wasn't for the Inside Out program. Coming into the program in 6th grade was hard. I was spoiled as an only child, had low self esteem due to really bad acne, always had to be the center of attention and if I didn't get it, there was gonna be trouble. But as I got more into the program everyone could see a change in me. Although I was still spoiled, I learned not to be such a brat to everyone when I didn’t get my way. My acne didn’t really get any better but I felt better about myself when I got up on that stage, where my acne didn't matter. Inside Out for me was a place of growth, where I transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The time I remember most was during my 7th grade year I had to do the USC performance with my arm in a cast and my foot in a boot. But I remember that I killed that performance. Everyone told me they have never seen me do such a good job and that really stuck with me because despite all that was wrong, it felt so right. During this transformation I not only learned a lot about myself but about others and how to treat them. I learned to get along better with others who were different and excluded because I knew how it felt to be like them. Every camp I remember I would look forward to seeing all my friends, something I wasn’t really used to because I never really had any friends. After this huge change in my life I knew I had to come back as a mentor and have been ever since. I think that Inside Out is something all kids should get involved in to help them grow, become better people, to help keep them out of trouble and just because it’s fun. In three words if I had to sum up my experience it would be "best thing ever". Thank you so much for listening to my story and I hope Inside Out helps you as much as it helped me. From where I've been, to who I am, Look at me now!

Yours truly,

Mariah A'lice Jackson