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Read through the story below once to get your initial reaction and then re-read to question the piece. Write questions that come to mind as you read. Use the questions listed on the preceding page to help you get started. ASSESS THE STORY As Julia Hudson sat in her room, she listened to music while trying not to absorb the chaos that protruded through the walls. Leaving her troubled past behind her, Hudson learned tricks to balancing family and school-related stress. Both Hudson and Ashlee Valek entered a mindset filled with hope and took away a new outlook on life after overcoming difficult life situations. With below average grades and violent experiences, Valek chose what to do next in her life. “I got into a fight right before I went there, and they were talking about how I need to go to a different school because I was causing such problems, and I had a choice of whether I stayed here or I went to PACE,” Valek said. Along with the struggle of the decision to change schools, Valek dealt with a loss in her family. “My little cousin just passed away, and that made me want to change because life can end at any time, and I don’t want to waste my time having fun. I want to do something worthwhile,” Valek said. This pushed Valek to attend the Practical Academic and Cultural Education (PACE) Center for Girls, a place that helped individuals learn responsibility and gain self esteem. “They assigned me a counselor for anger management, and I talked to her about everything,” Valek said.

With the help her counselor provided, Valek gained skills to help her in life.

“I learned a lot more skills on how important it is to turn your homework in and to graduate on time, instead of thinking the GED is the only way out of high school,” Valek said.

Hudson, another student who aspired to change her life, dealt with her own issues.

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