“I felt like my life was over. The experience of finding my mother dead on Mother’s Day at the age of 13 left me angry and alone. She was my everything.”
The name Isaac in Hebrew means “He will laugh”. Although he had a tragic start with not much to smile about, Isaac Steed, Pineland Youth of the Year, does indeed laugh again. The somewhat reserved yet charming freshman in high school wore his bright red shirt accented with a nice tie and dress pants proudly to the banquet to accept his award. Emotional and nervous, yet very appreciative, Isaac showed great triumph through his speech. “First, I would like to thank Mr. Wayne Pittman (Director of Pineland campus) for selecting me as the Youth of the Year. I consider this and honor and a blessing. Even at the age of 15, I face several challenges. The loss of my mother has been the greatest, but after being placed in a variety of unhealthy family homes, I was sent to Pineland. I was messy. I was rude. I was very defiant. Rules didn’t apply to me, and I was failing school. I had major anger issues and would “blow up” about everything. I even cussed my house parents. I was angry. Period. After thinking to myself that my behavior should have gotten me kicked out but the staff continued to give me chance after chance, I decided to straighten up. I told my parents I was going to change and that’s just what I did. I began making A’s and B’s in school with zero behavior referrals. I even began working hard and am now at a level 4 at the campus in a system of 5 levels. I realized I was no longer the same Isaac. The staff at Pineland took such good care of me and became the family i needed: for that I am grateful. Pineland has been a blessing to my life.”