...the encouragement did not stop...

When I started at Valley, I thought the staff was “lying” to me. They kept saying things like “You can do this,” or “You are smart,” or “You’ve got this.” I thought they were saying this to everyone, so it had no meaning. BUT, the encouragement did not stop, and the grades starting coming. Along the way, I learned that everyone has value despite their mistakes. I started figuring out who I was and eventually became myself; another unique, special person that can make people laugh and encourage them the way the wonderful people at Valley still do for me and each other.