“Someone once quoted, ‘I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better. I am not what happened to me; I am what I choose to become’.”
With her bouncy, blonde headed, sweet little country girl spirit, she exuded confidence yet humility as she took the podium to address the Sheriffs just moments after being awarded the Herrington Homestead Youth of the Year. Paris Eskew boldly, with plenty of southern charm, spoke elegantly while sharing her heart and her story. She began by saying, “Mrs. Betty Coleman (director of Herrington Homestead) saw beauty in me from the beginning and it allowed me to eventually see and realize my own beauty as well; not the kind that everyone notices on the outside, but the kind that lives on the inside.” Paris wrote a Thank you speech and read it to the attendees; she tells her story best in her own words. “I have always lacked self confidence because I always compared myself to other girls. I came from a bad background and I let it effect how I saw myself. People would tell me that I was beautiful, but I never accepted it. However, I noticed that Mrs. Betty never pointed out my pretty hair or told me how nice my teeth were; she complimented me on my state of mind and creativity. She showed me that I was more than just a pretty face. I have learned not to blame my insecurities and problems on my parents or the world, nor do I let my past define my future now. I have learned I must believe in myself and work hard to pursue my dreams. That takes courage and willpower and although disappointments are part of lie, I have a big family of people who help and support me through the process. I owe my current success in school, in my personal growth, in my desire to make something in this life to Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes. They have provided me with love, nourishment and care. I really believe if there were no youth homes, children all over this world would be lost in life with no one to guide them. Every person who participates in the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes has helped to give me a future and I am so thankful for everything!”